Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone obtains locational advantage from Djibouti, Berbera ports: PM Office

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2022 (FBC) –  It is to be recalled that on August 14th Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone.

Prior to the inauguration, the Council of Ministers put into effect the draft policy document of the National Special Economic Zone which emphasizes that the contribution of international and regional trade links to the economic development of a country is important.

The Council in its decision recognized that it is important to create enabling conditions for our country to be an active participant and beneficiary as trade relations are rapidly expanding and developing.

The council underlined the importance of establishing a system for expansion of dry ports and smooth logistics services in the main trade corridors of Ethiopia to improve the export trade system of our country, increase the attractiveness of foreign direct investment, foster export trade capacity and create wide employment opportunities in the sector.

Council also highligthe the importance of the policy that allows for the establishment of special economic zones like the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone.

During the press briefing held on Thursday, Prime Minister Office Press Secretariat Billene Seyoum said the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone covers an area of 150sq.m in phase one and 4,000sq.m land for future expansion. The free trade zone has a dedicated 20MW electric power supply, ample water supply, she said.

Within close proximity to the Dire Dawa-Addis Ababa highway, the free trade zone is situated adjacent to the railline connecting Addis Ababa and Djibouti.

Dire Dawa Dry port is within a 2.8km distance and Dire Dawa International Airport is within a 25.2 km distance from the zone respectively.

Trade zone has also a locational advantage with two major port corridors of 348 km and 507 km respectively, from the ports of Djibouti and Berbera. “The services offered at the free trade zone range from value added logistics

services to industrial and logistics estate rental which are complemented with public services and Government services at One stop service, Billene added.