The right strategy at the right time for the right purpose of industrialization

By Maryihun Tsegay, Bureau of Public Relations
Tigrai Online, Ethiopian News, Dec. 23, 2016

Nowadays Ethiopia is becoming the home of booming industry, new infrastructure, and conference tourism; it has also become a peace maker and powerful force in the region and beyond. To keep this golden role and opportunity, Ethiopia is pressing ahead with such ambitious development plans and Climate Resilient Green Economy based on renewable energy as the core to the purpose. A case in point is the multi-billion dollar mega projects of hydroelectric power, sugar industries and rail way facilities

In line with this, Ethiopia has designed its growth and transformation plans (GTP₁ and GTP₂) for the sustainability of the multi faceted development. The GTP1 has also laid down the foundations and stepping stones and an enabling environment for the second GTP. Some of the projects that were started in the GTP1, but couldn’t be completed are transferred to GTP₂. Currently, we can say that almost all the necessary infrastructures are on their construction phase some are completed and some are in progress. A case in point is the recently inaugurated Gibe iii which can produce 1870 mega watts. This wills double the ENERGY capacity of the country. The GERD is already 54 % completed.

Having prepared all these preconditions, our country has already declared to establish 10 industrial parks with in the coming five years.

Industrial parks in the fairly selected areas of the country according to the availability of local resource materials and skilled labor force are indispensable for our development. Furthermore, industrial parks have several advantages in facilitating the transition to industry led economy of our country.

Some of the advantages are;

• attracting more Foreign Direct Investments & domestic investment
• creating job opportunities for millions of citizens
• stimulating export trade promotion and enhancement
• earning hard currency ( foreign currency )
• transferring  of technology and on job  training for workers

In addition to these opportunities, the integrated  Agro-Industry in the selected  areas of different regions  will also increase in exporting  value added products to foreign  countries and the proper   utilization of our material  resources to the best level.

Therefore, shall we say what our Federal Government has designed is the Right Strategy at the Right Time for the Right purpose?