Experts commended the government’s commitment to enhance export competitiveness through improving the quality of products by establishing a modern quality infrastructure at a cost of over 5.3 billion Birr.
Export is among the core engines of Ethiopia’s economic growth and the nation has given due attention to the sector thereby increasing export earnings. Accordingly, the country recently inaugurated ‘Quality Village,’which incorporates the Ethiopian Standards Institute, Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise, Ethiopian Metrology Institute, Ethiopian Accreditation Service, and Ethiopian Technology Authority.
While inaugurating the quality infrastructure, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said that this critical institution is designed to catalyze the competitiveness of country’s local products in global markets and enhance its participation in global value chains. “As one of our leading national institutions, it will play a vital role in strengthening our export capabilities and ensuring we remain competitive in the international arena,” he added.
The Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise (ECAE) Director General MeazaAbera (Eng.) said that the nation has made remarkable progresses in improving product quality to enhance competitiveness in global markets and integrate the nation into the international market system.
Ethiopia has established a robust quality infrastructure, positioning itself to become a leading quality center on the African continent, she stated.
Ethiopia’s quality infrastructure not only enhances product competitiveness but also allows the country to capitalize on opportunities created by regional and continental economic frameworks, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Addis Ababa University School of Chemical and Bio-engineering Professor Shimelis Admasu said that restraints of adhering to standard and quality requirements are among the primary obstacles that the country’s manufacturing industry has encountered in recent years.
Many products were discarded due to poor quality and failure to meet the necessary standards, and the newly established ‘quality village’ will greatly benefit the nation by avoiding such inadequacies, he believed.
Praising the government’s initiative, Shimelis emphasized the importance of enhancing the efforts initiated by the government to fulfill the required criteria. Additionally, he pointed out the necessity of engaging international partners who possess the essential skills and expertise.
Ethiopian Construction Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mesfin Negewo (Eng.) said that the village compatible with the nation’s trajectory towards achieving modern and inclusive development. It goes beyond merely ensuring product quality as it aims to position the nation among modern countries equipped with the latest advancements in the construction sector befitting international standards.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced capabilities, the ‘quality village’ positions Ethiopia to align more effectively with international standards, reducing technical barriers and enabling greater participation in global trade thereby benefiting the nation, it was stated.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2024
