UPDATE: Bahir Dar Industry Park Goes Operational

ADDIS ABABA – Top government officials including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have attended the inauguration of Bahir Dar Industry Park on Wednesday.

The first phase of the industry park – built with a total investment of 161mln birr lies on 75ha with 8 active sheds in which investors are currently finalizing setting up to become operational.

The sheds are transferred for investors and they are in the process of installing machineries, said Sandoka Debebe, CEO of Industrial Parks Development Corporation of Ethiopia (IPDC).

Bahir Dar IP has now become 10 of the 13 industrial parks in the nation that are currently in operation.

Last year, the country generated $400mln from products made in the industrial parks, creating more than 76, 000 permanent job opportunities and 164,000 people indirectly benefiting in the process.

The inauguration of the industrial park in Bahir Dar is expected to increase revenue and job opportunities in the country.

In addition, Temesgen Tiruneh, president of Amhara regional state, said foreign investors will enhance capital, management and technology transformation in the industrial park. Although, he also stressed local investors too should be given a chance to participate in such investments.

“We all have the responsibility to enhance the capacity of industrial parks” the region’s president said during the inaugural event attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahemd and Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew.

The inaugurated park will catalyze Bahir Dar city’s endeavors to develop its textile industry and create sustainable jobs for youth in the vicinity, Abiy’s office said in a statement.

The Prime Minister also called upon youth in the area to cultivate a habit of hard work & discipline that will augment existing assets in the region.

Constructed by the china civil engineering construction company (CCECC), the industrial park expected to create jobs for 6,000 people.

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By Mhret G/kristos