Aviation stakeholders meet to draw a road map for recovery of the industry
The 10th Aviation Stakeholders Convention hosted by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Kenya Airways kicked off today in Nairobi, Kenya at the Emara Ole-Sereni hotel. The two-day convention will provide a platform for showcasing new developments and innovations in aviation, discussing industry business trends, networking and forging new partnerships.
The Convention, under the theme: “Beyond the crisis”, brings together over 500 delegates from 47 countries across the globe who are attending both physically and virtually. The Convention is one of Africa’s major forums for air transport industry stakeholders to dialogue, exchange knowledge and experiences for the development of the travel ecosystem. A total of 34 African airlines are represented at the event, with 12 airline CEOs in attendance.
Speaking at the convention on the importance of establishing lasting relationships and partnerships between aviation stakeholders for the benefit of African Aviation, Abdérahmane Berthé emphasized the need to draw out-of-the box solutions and regional initiatives for Africa: “AFRAA, in coordination with African Union Commission (AUC), African Civil Avation Commision (AFCAC), and African Aviation Industry Group (AAIG), will convene the first lab meeting to be held from 27 June to 01 July 2022. I call upon stakeholders to join this noble initiative which will bring experts from various sectors to craft solutions to transform business in the region and ensure the efficient development of intra-Africa air transport.”
New avocado oil processing company to start operations in Jimma
A new avocado oil processing company is in the process of signing to start operations in Jimma Industrial Park seconding another Avocado oil, Biodiesel and Biofertilizer processing company, Akshay Jain PLC.
“In 2019, the government awarded the management of Jimma Industry Park to Huajian, the Chinese shoe manufacturer for five years. However, the company handed back all the shades and left the park last year due to operational challenges amidst the global pandemic and with bounce back proving difficult for the firm difficult to get into operation,” explained Sandokan Debebe, CEO of IPDC.
Currently, the corporation has taken over the management of the park. Following the corporation takeover, it has made a new agreement with Akshay Jain PLC a company that has been working in the park under the management of Huajian. The company handles 150,000 Kg per day in demands of Avocado and is now in the process of expansion.
As the CEO said the signing with ELIAKIM trading Plc, the new entrant to the park, will be held soon.
The government has built 13 industrial parks and three agro-processing parks. It can be widely argued that the country is not reaping the full benefits as expected. Speaking on Friday, May 13, 2022, on the inauguration of the Soufflet Malt factory, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said from the total of 13 industrial parks, 9 of them have been built after he came to power. “The government has poured in lots of resources in the industrial parks and it is yet to reap its full benefits,” underlined the Prime Minister.
As a result, the PM has disclosed that the government is in the process of policy change on access to land for industrialists. In the new approach, the government plans to facilitate facilities in industrial parks rather than providing plots of land.
The head of state said that most of the bureaucracy and misdemeanor issues are raised in relation to access to land for industrial development.
He stressed that from now onwards the government policy has changed and that interested industrialists who want to invest in the industry sector shall access facilities in industrial parks that are massively developed in the past few years but have not been utilized fully.
“For investors, we will provide the adequate infrastructure at the industrial facilities, otherwise for the sake of good governance, plots in Addis Ababa or regions will not be provided for industrial developments,” he strongly said.
As Sandokan informed Capital, so far only 10 percent of land in industrial parks has been used from the total 500 hectares. “Further information on the application will be released when it is completed,” Sandokan stated.
On Friday, Soufflet Malt, the French multinational company inaugurated its first malt factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at Bole Lemi Industry Zone.
The inauguration of the 60-million-euro factory was attended by PM Abiy Ahmed, and the French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux.
In related news, 152 million USD, or an estimated 7.5 billion birr has been earned from the export of industrial parks in the past nine months, highlighted Sandokan whilst presenting the nine-month report.
In the past nine months, Bahirdar industrial park has not been operating as expected, while Kombolcha was interrupted due to the war in the northern region. Semera is yet to be operational while Mekele has fully stopped its operation owing to the war break out which has been a bottleneck in operations performance
Changing Water into Wine at Mekelakeya FC
Just stepping in place of Head Coach Yohannes Sahle who is on sick leave, assistant Yordanos Abay has picked up nine points and eight goals in three consecutive matches (4-0 demolition over Ethiopia Bunna, a 2-1 victory over Addis Ababa and an emphatic 5-3 victory over Sidama Bunna).
With three wins in a row Mekelakeya not only ran away from the relegation zone but also made a fast progress up in the table clinching 7th place just six points adrift from third place Wolayta Dicha. How the team managed such an amazing run is nothing short of a miracle and may be hard to understand. But one common fact is that clubs are said to enjoy when a new boss takes the hot seat. A fresh face of Yordanos’ coming into the picture might be the reason for the players’ inspiration.
Rumors are flying that Yohannes’ sickness is because of stress from the club’s performance. Now back in good form and climbing up the ladder, Yohannes’ return to the dugout may bring a morale boost for the players if and only if their good form stays on course.
Yohannes’ return to the dugout may not be sooner for it could turn out against him if the team loses after such an amazing run. Nine points from three consecutive matches, scoring 11 goals while conceding only four goals, one can consider the former national team, Electric and Ethiopia Bunna striker as capable of changing water to wine. Wednesday is sure to be the judgment day for Mekelakeya as they face good form Fasil Ketema.
