Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture announced that Ethiopia has become Africa's second-largest flower exporter, next to Kenya. Wondale Habtamu, horticulture state minister of agriculture, said Ethiopia has "done well" in the 2019/20 fiscal year exporting cut flowers.
Ethiopia has also become the fifth-largest non-EU cut flower exporter to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, the Middle East, and other EU countries in general, Mr. Wondale noted, adding Ethiopia's rose flowers are "most-widely produced and exported products".
Tewodros Zewdie, President of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), lauded the effort the Ethiopian government in providing various incentives for investors in the horticulture sector.
The incentives the Ethiopian government has put in place for investors engaged in horticulture include holiday tax for a period ranging from one to nine years, facilitation of access to loan from the Development Bank of Ethiopia, as well as exemptions from duties on imported machinery, construction materials, spare parts, raw materials, and related vehicles.
The Ministry of Agriculture has recognized and awarded 83 companies engaged in the cultivation of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Ethiopian Airlines has also been presented with an award for playing a "significant role [while the sector has been struggling with] the impact of COVID-19".
Source: The Ethiopian Herald
