The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations yesterday disclosed the opening of the 8th Edition of Agrifex with the theme: “Promoting Agro-processing Industry for Food Security”, and the 4th Edition of Addis Chamber International Tourism and Travel Fair with the theme: “Investment in Hospitality Industry for Tourism Development” at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Centre. The exhibition will remain open until April 27, 2015.
President of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Elias Geneti said that the agriculture and agro-processing sectors are priorities for Ethiopia’s government development policy and the first Growth and Transformation Plan.
“It is also expected to remain the focus of the second GTP that would be implemented in the next five years.” Tourism is also one of the economic sectors that received due attention in the government’s development plan, he added. The President also said that Ethiopia is generously endowed with attractive natural beauties, and historical heritages – rolling mountains, breath taking landscapes, pleasant climate, endemic wildlife, diverse cultural heritages and the people’s hospitality. According to him, these attractions could make the nation a fascinating destination for tourists.
In his opening speech, the Federal Cooperatives Agency Director General Ousman Siruru said that as agriculture and agricultural products are essential inputs to the industries, the envisioned move from agrarian to industry led economy is a golden opportunity for foreign traders and investors to benefit the country’s transformation. Developing the hospitality industry is also among the top priorities set aside by the Ethiopian government, identifying the sector to be a huge potential for the country’s economic growth, he added.
The Director General, however, said that the fact that the country has not yet adequately benefited from its fascinating tourist destinations, the underdeveloped infrastructure, the limited capacity of service providers in the sector and the limited promotional undertakings are also seen as challenges to publicize the country as a notable tourist destination.
He added that the government recognizes the significance of the fairs to promote the investment potential in agriculture and tourism. The fairs will enable local and international businesses dealing with agriculture, food and tourism to facilitate exchange of experiences with the business community worldwide.
Among the exhibitors, the Ethiopian Standards Agency has been participating in the exhibition to have experiences from different countries’ standards organization and implement the best practice in Ethiopia. On the other hand, Nyala Insurance S.C is also participating in the exhibition to introduce agricultural insurance package in Ethiopia as the uptake of insurance services in the sector is almost negligible.
According to AACC Secretary General Getachew Regassa, the 8th Edition of AgriFex has attracted 43 local and 20 foreign companies whereas 44 companies are participating in the 4th Edition of Tourism and Travel International Exhibition.
[TheEthiopiaHerald]