Institute asserts gov’t commitment to agro-processing industries

ADDIS ABABA — THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD Newspaper 20 May 2016: The 2nd Beverage and Food, Pharmaceutical Exhibition aimed at encouraging the middle-level business firms to be more focused on commercialization was opened yesterday.
The five-day exhibition was jointly organized by the Federal Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Development Institute and General Business PLC.
Speaking on the occasion, Industry State Minister Dr. Mebrhatu Meles said that the objective of the exhibition is to provide all round support to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries thereby accelerating technology transfer to make competitive at the international level.
The State Minster said the exhibition would enable to create market link between suppliers and customers and spur to introduce new brand as well as value added products.
Dr. Mebrhatu said the government has prioritized the agro- processing sector in the second Growth and Transformation Plan. The plan has set to encourage the private sector to shift from domestic consumption to export market .
The state minister said more engagement in the agriculture sector would help a lot to balance export and import scenario. As the sector is potential it would also a means to generate considerable foreign direct investments.
Currently, he added the government has attached due attention for the bio-industry, chemical, ICT and food processing industries.
He said the government is taking practical measures to encourage the local private business who are engaged in the manufacturing industries.
Institute General Director Solomon Tadele on his part said that the institute is working hard in assisting investors to engage in the food beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Solomon said that the government is working to establish agro-processing parks to encourage local and foreign investors interested to engage in food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
BY MEHARI BEYENE