Minister Stresses Need for Value Addition of Agricultural Commodities

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's agricultural export, which is up to 80 percent of the total, can grow immensely with value addition, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel said.The minister stressed the need for consolidating efforts in agro-processing to utilize the untapped potential in the sector.According to him, out of 3.8 billion USD exported in the concluded Fiscal Year, 78 percent was obtained from agricultural products.Speaking at a consultive meeting on opportunities and challenges on Yirgalem Integrated Agro- Industrial Park (YIAIP) held in Addis Ababa today, he said the government of Ethiopia has been working by giving attention to the industry sector, including integrated agro-processing.Infrastructures were constructed with 32 Billion Birr for 4 agro-integrated industrial parks, including Yirgalem Integrated Agro- Industrial Park, to create conducive environment for investors.Melaku lauded Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park as one of the preferable parks for investors due to various conditions including input supply, infrastructure access, and closeness to market, labor availability, among others.Expressing the government's commitment to support investors engaged in the sector, the minister called on investors to seize opportunities in the industrial parks, including Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park.Sidama Region Chief Administrator, Desta Ledamo on his part expressed the regional government's commitment to providing all essential support for investors engaged in Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park.Noting that the park has untapped potential with infrastructures, he called on investors to seize the opportunity to invest in the park.Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park (YIAIP) is located 318 kms away from Addis Ababa and lies on 294 hectares.Source: Ethiopian News Agency