ADDIS ABABA- Entrepreneurs voiced their concern over infrastructure, land supply, machineries, skilled human power and others in which they have been hindering their efforts to expand business and grow from small to medium manufacturing.
Mesfin and Marta Private Enterprise (MMGE) Manager Mesfin Abebe told The Ethiopian Herald that the enterprise has been engaging in a garment business since 2015 and has also created jobs for 100 individuals.
“Currently we are in need of extra human power but we are facing some most serious challenges in order to expand our business as we suffer heavily from shortage of quality raw materials, cloth machines, skilled human power and market linkage.”
He stated that if the government solves the existing challenges, a number of enterprises will create ample job opportunities for citizens apart from fulfilling their responsibilities and contributing great role in the country’s economic development.
Alemu Supplementary Processing and Sells Private Enterprise Manager Alemu Mekonen for his part said his enterprise is involving in production and marketing of ingredients from a variety of indigenous food products/Spices – serve as a medicine for public health benefits.
As to him, although the demand for the product is high, the little space for carrying out production has prevented the enterprise from producing as much as it needs.
In addition to this, the concerned body does not put into accounts the basic principles of small scale manufacturing He added that the principle of manufacturing stated that to grow from small scale to medium manufacturing, the entrepreneur should work five years and there must have 1.5 million birr capital to grow from small to medium manufacturing,
“But, our enterprise has met the criteria for medium manufacturing within less than two years, so the law has to be adjusted in this regard.”
He said that to develop domestic economy, the Ethiopian government should empower the small scale sectors by creating a chance to enable sell and introduce their products in the global market, because only staging exhibition is not enough to introduce the new products.
Senait, Tsegaye and Gowadegnochachew Enterprise Manager Senait Solomon said that: “We are have been involving in the production of bricks for many years, we have been struggling with land scarcity to enlarge our productions.
The government’s development strategies emphasize the role of Small Manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs) in job creation, particularly in urban areas. They have placed a priority on women and youth in employment-generating schemes.
The SME promotion and support packages provide improved market access, technical and entrepreneurial training, and access to financing and work opportunities learnt from International Development Research Center document.
The Ethiopian Herald February 25/2020
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
