The Ministry of Industry, Ethiopia allocated 5130 hectares of land for industrial zones in the last six months.The industrial sites will be dispersed across Dire Dawa, Amhara, Southern and Somali regional states.

700 hectares of the land allocated for industrial use is to be found in the Borena area of Dire Dawa while 350 hectares were allocated in Shinele in Somali Regional State.

1123 hectares are targeted for industry in Kombolcha city in the Amhara Regional State and the capital of the Southern Regional State Hawassa allocated 776 hectares.

Further plots of land targeted for industrial use are to be found in the environs of Addis Ababa with 436 hectares targeted in Bole Lemi and Akaki Kality and 243 more hectares in the Kilinto area.

The industrial sites were designated with the aim to reduce costs associated with investment and aid plans to enhance technological expertise, exports and increase foreign currency revenue according to Melaku Taye Corporate Communications Director at MoI.

Industrial development will create significant employment opportunities and aid agricultural development as well as providing social services.

An industrial zone established in Dukem, Oromia Regional State has attracted a 250 million US dollar investment from China alone. It is expected that the 200 hectare industrial zone at Dukem will support 81 industrial ventures including Hujian an internationally recognized footwear company.

The MoI aims to set up other factories in various regional cities and towns across the country over the current fiscal year.

Source: http://www.2merkato.com/20120201843/ethiopia-allocates-5130-hectares-for-industrial-zones