Investors from Kunshan, a city in Jiangsu province of China, are set to build an industrial park dedicated to textile production in the city of Dire Dawa with over half a billion US dollars.
A delegation led by Du Xiaogang, Mayor of Kunshan, visited Dire Dawa, about 500km east of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Speaking after the visit, the Mayor said investors from the city have finalized preparations to establish a textile industrial park within the coming two years, which according to him testifies the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. China is ready to share its experience to Ethiopia in order to make industrial parks in the country more productive and successful, he said. About 30 professional drawn from all industrial parks are currently receiving a 10-day training on industrial park management at a training center built in Dire Dawa.
Kedir Juhar, head of Dire Dawa trade, industry and investment bureau, said the city administration would provide all needed support for the establishment of the industrial park. Lelise Neme, CEO of the Ethiopia Industrial Parks Development Corporation said investment from Kunshan would help to foster university-industry linkage, besides creating employment opportunities. Lelise also invited Kunshan investors to invest more in Ethiopia. Dire Dawa and Kunshan are expected to sign a sister city agreement next month. [fanabc.com]