Traditional weavers in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, are to receive training in traditional weaving and design to help enhance the quality of products for export purposes. The training will start in June.
The project is sponsored by a 3.8 million birr capital injection from the Competitiveness and Trade Expansion Program (COMPETE) of the USAID. The project partners with the Center for African Women Economic Empowerment as the owner of the project and Sara Garment Designers and Manufacturers and Muya Abyssinia Craft as implementers.
The total project cost is expected to be 6.3 million birr with the three bodies making up the balance. The funding from USAID for this project is part of the 8.4 million US dollar food security support for COMESA countries.
The training will begin in June at Alem Gena selected for being home to many weavers. The training will be conducted in two phases from June-August, and September-November. The training will offer a curriculum developed in English and Amharic by SGDM.The training is a part of the CAWEE’s plan of engaging qualified weavers in the production of export oriented products. The new project launched by CAWEE ‘Connecting 100 Traditional Weavers to the Export Market' bring together 70 male and thirty female trainees.
The project has 50 improved weaving looms each costing 17,557 birr explained Steve Humphreys, Country Representative for COMPETE.
Source: Addis Fortune
