Ethiopia, China need to strengthen cooperation on industry sector

Ethiopia and China need to strengthen the existing relations and cooperation, particularly on industrialization, said Sisay Gemechu, Ethiopian State Minister of Industry.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday, the State Minister expressed his country's desire to have more Chinese manufacturers in Ethiopia.

Stating that the two countries are enjoying relations in all sectors, Sisay said China has been cooperating with Ethiopia by providing support to Ethiopia, particularly in infrastructure development.

"We have good relations and cooperation in all aspects with the Chinese government. Regarding to industrialization, they have been supporting us particularly in developing infrastructure; and other than infrastructure development, they are also supporting us in technical and know-how transfer and also the financing support is there," the official said.

"We are sending our students and people from here to China, and they also send their people to train our staffs," said the State Minister.

He noted that the existing relations and cooperation between the two countries need to strengthen in the future.

"This time, we have good relationship, relationship of government to government, and people to people," he said, adding "we need to strengthen more on this existing relation on one hand, and the other hand to have more Chinese manufacturers," said Sisay.

Recently, a delegation from Ethiopia went to China, whose objective was to have discussion and sign agreement with a Chinese company on industrial zones development and related issues here in Ethiopia.

Speaking of the agreement, the State Minister said Ethiopia and the Chinese company, China Association for Development of Industrial Zone, have signed the agreement to conduct study on Ethiopia's economic development zone and also on issues for the industrial zone development in Dire Dawa town, eastern part of the country.

Having started the work, and by this time, the Chinese are on the way to prepare the draft document, said the state Minister.

Speaking of Ethiopia's activities in the industry sector, Sisay stated that his country is determined for the industrialization, for which Ethiopia is undertaking various activities including expanding and improving education and training system for industrialists, especially in the manufacturing sector.

He also noted that the country is also developing and improving infrastructure system and incentive packages to attract more the private sector.

Asked about the major focus areas of the country's in the sector, the State Minister said "As one of the developing countries on the other hand, and based on our natural resources and all related supporting system, this time, we are targeting on textile and garment, and also due attention to leather and leather products, agro-processing, chemical and construction materials, and the likes."