Plastic, Rubber Manufacturers Plead for Respite

Mar 26 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

The Ethiopian Plastic & Rubber Manufacturers Association has requested access to foreign currency to import raw materials. The lobby group held a press conference late last week. Foreign currency has been a big challenge for plastic manufacturers, particularly after the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) decided to alter the foreign currency retention rules in January. A survey conducted by the Association on 100 manufacturers revealed that more than 85pc of them are producing at less than half of their capacity for lack of inputs. The lobby group is also petitioning on exemptions on import taxes for raw materials. Its leaders say they have passed along their concerns to the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Commission. Established in 2004, the Association has around 450 manufacturers under its wing.


Radar

State-Owned Enterprises Deliver, But Fund Seeks More from Underperformers

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country's sovereign wealth fund, closed its annual performance review with a mix of strong gains and lingering concerns across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises. Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics led the year with 4.5 million tons of cargo, driving revenues up 90pc and doubling pre-tax profit. Sugar production from Wonji Shoa, Metehara, and Fincha climbed 34.8pc to 163,290 tons, nearly doubling revenues to 15.6 billion Br, though EIH flagged ch...


Radar

MIDROC Cocoa Drive, Local Production Focus on Value Addition

MIDROC Investment Group is placing a bold wager on cocoa in the lowlands of Sheka. Building on extensive trials at the Bebeka Coffee State Farm, the company has introduced globally prized Forastero, Trinitario, and Criollo varieties alongside coffee. "The results are astonishing," said General Manager Beshada Worku, pointing to international prices that range from 8,200 to 14,000 dollars a ton. The project's first phase covers 50 hectares, with 44,000 seedlings already planted. Expansion to ...


Radar

Bureau Maps Out 1,700 Land Rights in a Month

The Rights Registration & Holding Service Directorate under the Bureau of Land Development & Administration prepared over 1,700 landholding certification maps in a single month. The update came during the bureau's July performance review, which measured progress against the upcoming fiscal year's targets. Director Tesfamichael Endale said efforts are being scaled up to give farmers secure land rights and quicker certification. Deputy Head WendwossenBanjaw added that the priority ahead...