Ethiopia set to address problems facing export trade: PM

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Friday his government would play its level best in curbing problems related to export of textiles and wears, leather and leather products as well as meat and live animals to foreign markets.

Meles made the statement at the exporters' meeting organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, held at the office of the prime minister.

The Ethiopian prime minister said his government would be providing incentives, training and other assistance to local exporters in a bid to strengthening their competitiveness in the international market.

The Ethiopian Development Bank has also designed new working procedure to provide loan to exporters in the sector within 36 days, the prime minister said.

Leather and leather products, meat and live animals exporters commented that poor quality of products, lack of adequate supply of hides and skins, insufficient loan services, lack of information and transportation facilities, and absence of quarantine services are some of the bottlenecks in the sector.

The government would do everything possible in a bid to solve the above mentioned problems, Meles said, adding that the government has been exerting utmost efforts to improve the provision of veterinary health services.

Ethiopia is an agricultural country, with farm products accounting for over half of the country's gross domestic product and 90 percent of its exports.

Source: Xinhua