Chinese investors from the city of Kunshan, located in the Jiangsu province of China, are to build an industrial park solely for textile production in the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa. The project will cost some half billion USD.

Du Xiaogang, Mayor of Kunshan city, led a delegation of investors who visited the city. After the visit, the mayor said investors from his city are now on the verge of establishing a textile industrial park over the coming two years.

Mr. Xiaogang noted the effort stands to testify to the strong bilateral ties between Ethiopia and China. He further expressed commitment on the part of his country to share experiences to make industrial parks more productive and successful. Incidentally, a 10-day training on industrial park management for thirty professionals from industrial parks from all over currently is currently underway in the city of Dire Dawa.

Lelise Neme, CEO of the Ethiopia Industrial Parks Development Corporation, extending a further invitation to investors from Kunshan to invest more in Ethiopia, remarked their investment would help foster university-industry linkage, besides creating employment opportunities.

Kedir Juhar, Head of Dire Dawa Trade, Industry and Investment Bureau, on his part, said the city administration would provide all needed support for the establishment of the industrial park.

Dire Dawa and Kunshan are expected to sign a sister city agreement next month, it was further learned.

Source: Fana BC