2merkato

British engine manufacturer Ricardo is to partner with Chinese car-maker Lifan in Ethiopia. Engineers from two companies have collaborated in producing a VVTI engine for the new Sport Utility Vehicle, Lifan X-60, produced by Lifan for the Ethiopian market. 

The agreement to design and develop an engine for the Lifan X-60’s was reached after months of negotiations between Ricardo and Lifan.

The Tendaho Sugar factory, Ethiopia is expected to be operational in October of 2012 according to Endalkachew Zenebe Deputy General Manager for the Project.

The factory is being constructed by Overseas Infrastructure Alliance Private Limited, an Indian company which won the construction bid for 345 million US dollars. Disagreements between OIA and some of its sub-contractors have allegedly contributed to delays encountered with the project according to sources. 

Kaliti Metal Products Factory, Ethiopia is set on an expansion project estimated to cost 60 million birr. The factory has been challenged to meet demand because of outdated machinery according to Kassa Assefa, Market Research and Advertising Senior Expert with Kaliti. 

The expansion project was originally designed to be a two phase project costing 138 million birr and encompassing pipeline supplies but was scaled down to only make a smaller pipeline and the manufacture of EGA sheets for roofs and the purchase of one roofing crane.

Ethiopia has earned 137.7 million US dollars from the export of manufactured goods in the last six months according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry.

The income was earned through the export of leather and leather products, agro processing, textile and garment, and chemical and pharmaceutical products according to Melaku Taye Corporate Communication Director, with the MoI. 

Tendaho Sugar factory is expected to put Ethiopia in the number one place for sugar cane crushing capacity when it becomes fully operational according to Million Moges Deputy Manager for the project.

The project established in Afar Regional State at a cost of 11.8 billion birr has the capacity to crush 26,000 tons of sugar daily when fully operational said Million. The factory will be able to crush 13,000 tons of sugar cane in the first phase of the project he noted.