Ethiopia’s textile, apparel industry experiencing development over recent years: Amb

Addis Ababa, March 31, 20220(FBC) – Ethiopia participated in the GlobalSpin Trade Conclave on Eco-handlooms, Eco-textiles and Apparels held from March 29-30, 2022 in New Delhi which was jointly organized by the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises- MSME, Ministry of Textile of India and IAMKHADI Foundation in which Ethiopia partnered along with other African countries.

Ethiopian delegation Dr. Milkessa Jagema, Director General and Sileshi Lemma, Deputy Director General of the Manufacturing Industry Development Institute of Ethiopia took part in the two days expert sessions and panels discussing on Ethiopia’s experience on technology intervention in textile, eco-textile manufacturing, export and trade competitiveness & marketing, the role of funding agencies and national and international market linkages and logistics.

Yibeltal Tegegn, First Secretary for Economic Diplomacy of the Embassy made an extensive presentation on Ethiopian investment and trade opportunities, special focus on textile, garment and apparel manufacturing.

Tsion Bahru, Founder and Creative Director of MISS.T.CAL Apparel Design, one of the youngest and newly emerging fashion designers from Ethiopia, participated in a panel discussion focusing on customer-oriented designs and products development and delivered a workshop on digital marketing for fashion products.

The valedictory session was graced by Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta of Ethiopia, who spoke about the strong ties Ethiopia and India have enjoyed for millennia which has begun from trading silk, spices, gold and ivory through the port of Adulis in the 6th Century AD to the diplomatic relations established in 1948 and deeper flourishing to people-to-people ties for education, trade and investment.

She further spoke about Ethiopia’s textile and apparel industry experiencing major developments over recent years mainly driven by the government’s special focus to the sector, wide availability of raw materials, skilled and semi-skilled labour as well as low energy cost.