Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and Muktar Kedir Oromia State President laid the cornerstone for the construction of a 7 billion Birr manufacturing complex to be carried out by Repi Wilmar Industrial S.C, the joint venture of Ethiopian Repi Soap and Detergent S.C and Singaporean Wilmar International Ltd Sunday at Sebeta Town of Oromia State.
Repi Wilmar Industrial S.C is a 50/50 joint venture combining local knowledge, national distribution and experience of Repi Soaps and Detergents with the manufacturing skills, knowledge and capability of the internationally renowned Wilmar International Ltd, one of the largest companies listed on the Singapore stock exchange.
Repi Soap and Detergent S.C and Wilmar International Ltd have signed a joint investment agreement in July 2014 for the upgrading of an existing manufacturing facility and for building a new integrated industrial complex to produce edible oil, soap and detergents, flour, oil seed crushing and refining and sesame seed cleaning.
The project which is to be constructed on 100 hectares of land in two phases, when fully operational in December 2016, employs over 10,000 people.
This project will be state of the art facility incorporating the latest equipment and processing technology from Europe and Asia and will ensure maximum efficiency and minimum environmental impact, said Kamil Sabir Managing Director of Repi Wilmar Industrial S.C.
I have visited many countries in Africa and Ethiopia is one of the most promising. Wilmar is no stranger to Ethiopia for over 10 years Wilmar has been supplying Viking brands edible oils to the country. The complex is estimated to cost f 350 million USD will create many new jobs when commence operation and we are confident that with the combined resources with our partner, the joint venture will be a success, said Kuok Koon Hong Chairman Wilmar International.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said that local investors should give attention to transforming from service sector to manufacturing sector because industry can employ a lot of people and thus change the nation.
The industrial complex is believed to play a big role in satisfying the need for edible oil, fertilizer, soap and detergent and will create more employment opportunities during the construction phase.
[TheEthiopianHerald]