Planning a whole new trade strategy, Ethiopia has set a target to generate US $ 30 billion from export of textile and clothing by the year 2025 as the Government says the industry is one of the country’s key targets for growth. In 2016, the African country could only produce textile and clothing shipments to US worth US $ 33.14 million and nearly US $ 82 million to the rest of the world.
Dr. Arekbe Oqubay, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desallegn, explained, “The plan will transform Ethiopia to a compelling new sourcing hub for brands, retailers and their suppliers.”
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He exclaimed that by 2025 the Government wants to make Ethiopia the leading apparel and textile manufacturing hub in Africa capable of exporting up to US $ 30 billion and that’s the single and bold vision they have. “It is a challenge, but we are confident that we can achieve this target. We believe if Vietnam can do it, if Bangladesh can do it, Ethiopia can do it even better,” explained Arekbe.
It may be noted here that until 2010 the prime focus of Ethiopia was on agriculture but now the country is giving more attention to manufacturing keeping apparel and textiles on top priority because it’s one of the largest employing industries that can help country capture the significant international apparel market.
Adding to the development plan, Ranjan Mahtain, Chairman and CEO of Hong Kong-based Epic Group, commented, “The one thing that is unique in Ethiopia is that there has never been such an organized roadmap dedicated to textile and clothing…, not in any country in the world.”
Also, in addition to the current 50,000 employees in the textile sector, the Government is hoping to create a further 350,000 jobs over the next four years and the number may increase after 4 years.
