The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) said it will continue to support the efforts of the Ethiopian government in accelerating industrial development.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, UNIDO Deputy Representative to Ethiopia, Asegid Adane said currently the organization has a very large program portfolio in the area of industrial development and is working closely with the government.
Recalling UNIDO has a program package called Program for Country Partnership (PCP) Ethiopia, he said that we are implementing a project in three priority areas as outlined in relevant government strategies including the Homegrown Economic reform agenda.
These priority areas are leather and leather products sub sector, textile and garment sub sector and agro-processing sector.
“We also have other cross cutting areas like renewable energy development, investment promotion, policy advisory services, which all cut across the three priority areas,” he elaborated.
Currently, he stated that we have a program portfolio in tune with around 60 million USD, which is a technical assistance.
“Using this relatively small amount of resources, we are leveraging close to 2 billion USD in the form of investment and loans to the government, which are associated with the initiatives, which we are supporting.”
To this end, “we continue to support the Government of Ethiopia in its effort for accelerated industrial development,” the deputy representative assured.
Moreover, Asegid stated that UNIDO supported the government of Ethiopia in the development of Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIP) in Ethiopia.
IAIPs represent one of the main mechanisms to support Ethiopia’s agricultural production transformation from being fragmented and supply-driven to becoming organized, safe, and demand-led and quality oriented, it was learnt.
The projects are implemented within the broader framework PCP Ethiopia, a partnership business model that mobilizes external partners and resources to increase the impact of UNIDO’s technical cooperation.
Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks operating in Yirgal Town, Sidama region, in Bulbula, Oromia region and in Bure, Amhara region, are among the projects the UNIDO supports, he said.
The deputy country representative added we have reached a stage where we are now working in mobilization of investors.
“Few investors are working already in the parks, but our aim is to make these three parks fully operational in the next few months and years. Investment promotion is now a very important component of these parks. We are working with the government of Ethiopia and other development partners in mobilizing the investments here,” he elaborated.
The Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks are a little bit different from the other parks, because they are meant to develop the food processing value chain locally.
In 100 radius around each of these parts, we have established what we call rural transportation centers (RTC), he said, adding these centers are responsible for collecting raw products from surrounding areas, from the smallholder farmers through their cooperatives and unions.
“I think in doing so, we are hoping that the maximum benefit of value chain development can be obtained. Benefiting the smallholder farmers who are in millions around these products and also all the others involved along the value chain, creating a huge number of employment opportunities for local people.”
He reiterated that UNIDO provides support to priorities as outlined by the government.
There are also additional sectors which the government wants to pursue, he said, adding “we will be working in alignment with that package to increase and expand our support to the government, of course, related to industrial development.”
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency