Industrial parks could only succeed within the framework of an industrial policy.
The commitment of African governments to expand industrial parks is said to be instrumental for the attraction of investment and the creation of more jobs for youths and women. African Industrialization Day was marked here yesterday under a theme: “Small and Micro Enterprises for poverty eradication and job creation for women and the youth.”
Opening a day-long workshop held at Hilton Addis yesterday, Industry State Minister Tadesse Haile said that the development of small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in Africa has broad based micro economic as well as socio-environmental benefits. SMEs are highly successful in creating employment and income in most African countries. In Ethiopia as well, SMEs are a good bulk of the private sector and have big capacity to alleviate unemployment. They contribute for the economic growth of the country. So far, lots of efforts have been exerted to deal with problems related to capital and equipment availability of enterprises. Credit services and production and marketing facilities have been addressed.
Tadesse also said that as part of the strategic plans designed to achieve Ethiopia’s plan of accelerated industrialization, the role of the development of industrial parks is key. Dependable provision of one stop service, utilities, banks, custom clearance and logistics are among others to be considered in the industrial park. The formation of industrial parks can help to improve the magnitude of investment in the country. It also helps improve competitiveness among industrial parks.
Through his representative, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that in recent years significant economic growth and progress in human development has been made in Africa. However, inclusive and sustainable industrial development remains elusive. Youth unemployment and gender inequality jeopardize the continent’s efforts to eradicate poverty.
Africa needs to invest in training and education for women and youth to industrialize, help grow the private sector and achieve sustainable development. SMEs can provide a solid foundation for sustained economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication, Ban added.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Li Yong through his representative said on his part that industrial parks are a key engine to scaling up industrialization attracting domestic and foreign private sector actors and support the country’s industrial development policy to invest in productive sectors such as agro-industry and manufacturing and creates massive wealth for the people through extensive employment. This is a good step towards eradicating poverty from Africa.
As UNIDO partners with Africa, it has been trying to scale up its policies and strategies in order to impact quickly on the economy thereby addressing the needs of the population. This is what can be called the objective of development, according to Li. ed.
Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Arkebe Equbay on his part said that industrial parks could only succeed within the framework of an industrial policy. The other factor of success is the existence of strict political commitment on the part of the government totally dedicated to its objectives. This is so because industrial parks need the highest level of coordination Arkebe added. It also requires interventions in many areas such as the existence of sound infrastructure facilities.
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