ADDIS ABABA– The Federal SME’s Small and Medium Manufacturing Industry Promotion Authority (FSMMIPA) announced that modernizing the manufacturing industry such as; weaving, jewelry, bamboo, pottery, fine arts and the like is vital for improving home grown economy of Ethiopia.
Authority’s Director General, Asfaw Abebe said that the authority is endeavoring important activities in modernizing small and medium enterprises in order to support country’s economic transformation. Conducting trainings, experience sharing campaigns and creating market linkage are among the activities which have been done by the authority.
Apart from weaving, pottery, fine arts and some other items, there are also untapped professions on the hands of women and men who are particularly found at different monasteries and mosques. As a result, Ethiopia will achieve the expected home grown economic development if the government and stakeholders could invest on such untapped manufacturing industries, he added.
Daniel Olani, Vice Director at the authority, on his part said that his office is working on making the industry to be competitive across the world market coupled with increasing product and productivity. Providing modern production materials and conducting skill and technological trainings for manufacturers are among the efforts taken by the authority in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Mitiku Gemena, 28, is a weaver at Adisu-Gebeya shade. It takes him three days to finalize a Jano or Tind Dirb, a handmade traditional and/or religious garment; and up to four days for a “Habesha Kemis,” a handmade traditional dress made with pure cotton and artful finishing.
He has working in weaving for more than 10 years. Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Mitiku said that such handmade industries need high government support. “Despite the rise in demand for our products, there is no mechanism to improve our productivity as we are constrained in terms of technology and finance,” he noted.
“Most of the time, it is retailers and wholesalers that are benefiting from our products. But, currently we are invited to directly participate in exhibitions which are being organized by the authority,” Mitiku added. He further stressed that the government should give high intention for modernizing this sector and benefiting both individuals and the country as well.
Some documents revealed that most Asian countries are succeeded through capitalizing on medium-level industries. At the same time, they upgraded their traditional and small-scale industries using technology.
Yohannes Denkayehu, State Minister for Ministry of Trade and Industry said for his part pledged development partners and all stakeholders should work hand in hand with the government as since the manufacturing industry needs high rate of finance, technology, skilled manpower and the like.
He additionally said that his office is undertaking reform activities in order to modernize the industry in order to increase productivity and competitiveness among the international market.
All in all; despite there its limitation in modernizing the industry coupled with benefiting manufacturers, the government’s initiative is appreciable and needs improvement as well.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 29/2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
