Ethiopia has earned 318 million dollars from the export of flowers and other horticulture products in the just concluded fiscal year. The nation generated 261 million dollars form the export of flowers, while the remaining 57 million dollars was secured from vegetables, fruit and herbs exporst, according to Ethiopian Investment Commission. Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, Japan, Norway, Germany, UAE, Belgium and Italy were the main export destinations of Ethiopian horticulture products. A year and a half ago the government made some policy changes to support the growers. It lowered the equity contribution of local horticulture investors to 15pc from 25pc to get a loan from the Development Bank of Ethiopia and extended tax holiday periods and duty-free privileges for both local and international investors. The horticulture sector, which includes, fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs, employs around 200,000 people across the country, a fifth of whom belong to the flower industry.
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