Ethiopia is to subcontract the management of MEWIT, Merchandise Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise operated by the state according to sources. The move is part of efforts to stabilize the market.
The Ethiopian government has been considering multinational corporations that are experienced in wholesale distribution, such as Wall-Mart it was said.
A group of experts representing the government have been on a visit to India to review how such companies were attracted in to the market there.
Ethiopia is exerting effort to control annual inflation rates which rose again to 36.3% in February from 32% in January and the overhaul of the management of MEWIT including inviting an international corporation to takeover.The government replaced former MEWIT General Manager, Yimam Mohammed with Gemeda Aleme.
MEWIT is in the process of introducing institutional reform although to enhance operations although he has not heard of possible foreign management said Gemeda.
It is to be remembered that a merger between MEWIT and The Ethiopian Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Enterprise was announced in November although the move was put on ice later on.
MEWIT was established in 1993 through a merger between trading groups, including the Ethiopian Domestic Distribution Corporation and the Ethiopian Import Export Corporation.
MEWIT imports and distributes food, building materials, paper and stationery items, textiles and other goods.
Source: Capital
