Ethiopia, Italy hold experience sharing session on agro industry development

A side session focusing on the Ethio-Italian private-public partnership for the sustainable development of the agro-industry in Ethiopia, was held on Wednesday at the Millennium Hall where the 2nd International Agro-Industry Forum that was held for four days this week.
Organized by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Italian Trade Agency of Addis Ababa organized a side session on the Ethio-Italian Private-Public Partnership for the Sustainable development of Agro Industry in collaboration of the Ministry of Industry and the UN Industrial Development Organization, was officially opened by Italy’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Arturo Luzzi and State Minister of Industry Mebrahtu Meles.
According to the State Minister, the Ethiopian government has long term investment plan in the agro-processing sector that will strengthen and transform the linkages between the processing industry and agriculture.
“There are obviously a lot of opportunities for investment in the agro-processing sector. We advise you to take big bold steps and take this opportunity,” he told members Region Emilia Romagna and News Holland Agriculture who were present to share their experiences and explore opportunities.
The side event set the frame for present and future public private partnership between Italy and Ethiopia with the aim of boosting the Ethiopian agro-industry sector, with a view to upcoming initiative promoted by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Ethiopia.
Different presentations and discussions focused on agro-processing industrial parks in Ethiopia and the opportunities they present and social, industrial and economic development in Ethiopia and the challenges that are faced.
Ethiopia is planning to construct 17 Integrated Agro Industrial Parks (IAIPs) that will be built in all states. Four states have already laid cornerstones to commence the construction of their own agro-processing industrial parks. The parks are expected to help the country speed up its economic transformation from farming to an industrial-led one.