With the assistance of a New York-based consulting firm, the Ministry of Trade & Industry has started revamping the nation's two-decade-old industrial policy. Initiated last March, the policy is expected to be finalised by the end of the fiscal year.

Aimed at fostering the country's manufacturing capability and competitiveness, the revision is being undertaken by Dalberg, an international consulting firm headquartered in New York. The detailed analysis drawn up by the consultants is expected to provide a five-year industry strategy, incentive packages, and an operational guideline for implementation along with industrial policy.

The revised industrial policy targets to double import substitution in the country, which currently stands at 30pc. Shifting local investors to manufacturing and creating a conducive environment for foreign investors is one of its primary goals, according to Melaku Alebel, minister of Trade & Industry.

"The growth of the manufacturing industry will have spillover effects in the market and the service sector as well," he told Fortune. "This is also in line with fostering the right environment for the export of products."

A steering committee made up of members from the Planning & Development Commission and the ministries of Finance, Agriculture, and Revenues oversee the revised policy.

Another major objective is boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) flow into the country, which has been on a steady decline after recording its highest-ever level at 4.1 billion dollars in 2015. Last year the recorded FDI stood at 2.5 billion dollars, the lowest it has been since 2014.

Encouraging FDI involves preparing comparative advantages for investing in the country and outlining the sectors that should be given priority and support, explained the Minister.

"The manufacturing sector is unequalled in the efficient use of land, labour and capital," Melaku said. "We need to shift from an agricultural to a manufacturing-led economy."

Agriculture took up the lion's share of the country's export revenues over the last fiscal year at 77pc or 2.3 billion dollars. Manufacturing scored less than a fifth of that amount at 405 million dollars, contributing just 13pc.

"The large number of young labourers that join the labour market is an advantage and not a burden," said Melaku. "But we have to provide the industries and opportunities to realise that."