Foreign firms acquire 7 factory sheds in Mekelle Industrial Park

Addis Ababa, August 16, 2017 (FBC) –Foreign firms have acquired 7 of the 15 factory sheds in Mekelle Industrial Park.
Goitom Gebrekidan, general manager of the park, told FBC yesterday that recruited apparel and textile firms have been concluding agreements to commence production in the park.

Companies from Bangladesh took the lion’s share in showing interest to start production in the park, he said.

According to Goitom, those investors who have acquired factory sheds will start installing machineries as of next month and are also expected to enter into production within nine months.

Tigray Regional State Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Industries Development Agency, said it has begun recruitment of employees for the park.

Tilahun Tareke, head of the agency, said 10,000 workers from all regions of the state will be employed in the first around. About 27,000 people have so far applied for employment opportunities.

According to him, 95 percent of the employment opportunities will be given for females.

Erected on 75,000 hectares of land, Mekelle Industrial Park is dedicated for apparel and textile manufacturing.

Construction of the first phase of the industrial park was completed last month. Upon going fully operational, it will create 20,000 jobs.