‘Let's use local products for good'

By Andualem Sisay

The Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries Association calls for local media to join the effort of the association to change the public's attitude towards locally made products and encourage people to use these products for the overall economic growth of the country. Briefing on the Ethiopian Industry week that will be celebrated for the 6 th time from November 13-20, 2006, Ato Mohammed Nur Saney Vice president of the Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries Association, calls the media to focus on local products and issues related to international trade agreements.

“As far as I know there is no country that developed without using its local product. The media has the potential to show the negative impact of not using local products on the country's economy. Therefore we expect much from the media to change the negative attitude of some,” said the Vice President.

“In addition, the public needs to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of joining international trade agreements such as WTO, COMESA and PTA for countries like Ethiopia .” He indicated that Ethiopian media needs to play a big role in teaching the public about the major issues and components of such international trade agreements.

According to the press statement of the Association, the major aim of celebration of the Ethiopian Industry week is to coordinate concerned stakeholders awareness and effort in order to facilitate the development of industries of the country.

Panel discussions, workshops, dissemination of researched materials that are believed to curb the problems of the country's industry sector using TV, radio, and printed materials are among the activities planed by the association in the coming week. The formation of Ethiopian Industrial Engineers Association on Tuesday Nov 14, 2006 is part o f the event planed in the week.

Currently the Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries Association which was founded 15 years ago has 200 active members.