Ethiopia's Hawassa Industrial Park announced that it has obtained $114 million from the export of face masks during the recently concluded Ethiopian fiscal year.
Fitsum Ketema, General Manager of Hawassa Industrial Park, remarked the 2020/21 budget year has been "a difficult year" for the sector because of COVID-19's blow to the market. However, the industrial park has used the opportunity to market face masks and other products that are used in the prevention of the coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, he pointed out, $114 million has been secured in export earnings from such exports to Europe and the US.
Mr. Fitsum applauded the government's efforts to help manufacturing companies cope with the pressure they have been faced with in providing alternative means of continuing operations. The efforts, he said, have brought about "impressive" results.
Twenty foreign companies have obtained production sites in the park and started operations, the general manager of the industrial park noted, while the engagement of local investors is also on the rise despite only three beginning production so far.
The Hawassa Industrial Park employs over 35,000 workers.
Source: ENA
