Ethiopia’s Stride to Enhance Import Substitution Encouraging: Industry Minister

Addis Ababa: Import substitution has registered remarkable results in the concluded Ethiopian fiscal year, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel remarked.Discussion is underway on the annual performance review of Industry Ministry and plan for 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year in Hawassa.Speaking on the occasion, the minister pointed out that great achievements were gained with regard to import substitution to ensure trade balance.The industry's market share has now reached 39 percent and work is underway to increase it to 60 percent in line to the 10 years national development plan, it was indicated.According to Melaku, expanding new industries and enabling the 'Made In Ethiopia' campaign, substitute imported materials were amongst the successful.A total of 96 products including textile and apparel, skin and hide products, chemical and construction materials, manufacturing technology, and food and beverage products were identified to substitute import.Some 248 million USD was saved through import substitution in 2013 Ethiopian fiscal year and reached 2.8 billion USD in 2016 Ethiopian fiscal year, it was learned.Moreover, the manufacturing sector registered 10.2 percent growth last year and is planned to grow to 12.08 this fiscal year.Source: Ethiopian News Agency