BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Woldia located north of Dessie and southeast of Lalibela in the Amhara State, is a city situated in a crossroad between Addis Ababa and Djibouti. The City is also a place where there is ample opportunity for investment.
However, the conflict, which occurred in the northern part of the country over the last two years, had impacted it negatively, disrupting the livelihoods of localities, affecting its economic progress and causing damage in its infrastructure and public facilities. Luckily, after the peace deal, most of the northern parts of the country have returned to normalcy and opened their doors for investors; and the same is true to Woldia City.
As a city where several tourist attraction sites are found and well known for its Tuesday market for various commodities, especially mule market, Woldia is attracting several investors. Athlete Major Haile Gebreselasse is among them. In his recent visit to the city, the Athlete has shown an interest to invest in Woldia and; he has also called others to seize the investment potential available in the city and follow suit.
During his visit to the city and Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Ali Alamuddin Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Woldia, Haile, the world-renowned Ethiopian Athlete, has urged investors to be part of the development activities. Speaking on the occasion, Athlete Haile said that, Woldia is a city which is connected to parts of the country. “The fact that the City has roads that connect the different parts of the country in four directions; as well as the port of Djibouti, (the main export and import outlet) makes it an ideal place for investment. Thus, seizing this golden opportunity and investing in the city yields significant returns to investors.”
“I have come to the city as a result of the outcome of the feasibility study on investment. You should have to come and invest for the common good of all. Let us join hands and develop Woldia City together”, Haile urged. Commenting on the huge economic impacts of the Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Ali Alamuddin Stadium which was constructed with the huge amount of capital, Haile also expressed his opinion to make the stadium operational shortly.
The stadium has an international standard eight-lane track, standard seating, a roof and other specifications, Haile added. In addition, he said, being a tourism destination, Woldia has favorable options for multi-sectorial development. In this regard, investors should use this golden opportunity to develop the city and benefit from the sector.
“Everyone should work together to re-develop Woldia City,” said Athlete Haile. Appreciating the willingness Athlete Haile has shown to visit Woldia City, City’s Deputy Mayor, Dubale Abrare, said that Haile is not only a national hero; but also a man who always dedicates his time and wealth to develop the country.
He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Haile for accepting the invitation to pay a visit the City. “Athlete’s respect to the call made by the City’s Administration to develop Woldia and being part of the initiation is an encouraging step. The Administration is ready to provide the necessary support and investment areas to investors seeking to partake in city’s development activities, he noted.
As to him, following the call made by the City Administration, investors with a capital of five billion birr have submitted requests, and the Administration has given a positive response to their demands. What is more, as a city that is found in the highlands of Ethiopia, Woldia has a lot to offer to investors in areas of tourism. Woldia is a city built on and between two symmetrical hills: Gabriel Hill on the northwest and Qaro Hill on the southeast. Most of the year, it is hot during the day, but always with a refreshing breeze. At night it cools down and thus it provides an ideal temperate climate for visitors.
These days, besides its potential attractions, Woldia has a significant flow of tourist traffic because of its location on the main historic route of the country. This is to say that the City is located at a juncture that leads to Lalibella, Gondar and Bahir Dar on the one hand and Axum, Mekelle and Afar State on the other. Also, significant numbers of business travelers pass through the city every day on their way to or from Addis Ababa, Dessie, Semera, Mekelle, Djibouti, Gondar and Bahir Dar.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 28 MARCH 2023
