ADDIS ABABA– The manufacturing industry sector in Sidama State has registered a 13% growth in production capacity, according to the Sidama State Industry Development Bureau.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Bureau Head Gossaye Godana stated that the state’s production capacity increased from 44% to 57% due to measures taken to boost industry sector production and productivity. Following the establishment of Sidama as a new state, around 300 new manufacturing industries have emerged.
Before the formation of Sidama as a state, the manufacturing industry sector faced various challenges and had low production levels. Legal revisions and other measures taken after Sidama’s statehood have significantly improved industry sector production and productivity.
Gossaye emphasized that the reform and amended state and national policies have been encouraging for manufacturing industries and investors. Ensuring industry production and productivity requires the collaboration of stakeholders, leading to the establishment of the ‘Sidama State Industry Development Council.’
Stakeholders have provided various supports, including input and financial supply, sheds, and other resources for manufacturing industries. Over the past four years, approximately 60,000 tons of inputs have been supplied to small, medium, and large-scale manufacturing industries and 1.3 million Birr in credit has been allocated.
According to the bureau head, the state has also provided industry extension training for 800 industries over the past four years. Some 1,081 industries with low production capacity received various supports to boost production, and 33 industries recommenced operations.
Additionally, more than 54 industries are working to substitute imports, saving the state 750 million USD over the past two years. During the past four years, Sidama exported around 3,500 tons, generating 238 million USD in foreign exchange earnings. Gossaye underscored that these efforts have created job opportunities for 65,000 citizens during the stated period.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
The Ethiopian Herald July 7/2024
