Bangladeshi investors are interested to invest in the apparel sector of Ethiopia. This because the country has easily trainable workforce, great climate and facilities like electricity and good road networks, said Bangladeshi ambassador to Ethiopia, M Monirul Islam. Textile and garment companies from the US, China, India and Sri Lanka are also eyeing the textile sector of the African nation.
Swedish government owned development financier Swedfund along with the Bangladeshi conglomerate DBL Group are also establishing a textile factory in Mekelle, Ethiopia, which will provide job opportunities for 4,000 people. This facility is expected to start producing apparel by mid 2017, Islam told the Ethiopian press.
Around 15 textile and garment companies from the US, China, India, Sri Lanka and six local companies are setting up their operations in the park. Once fully operational, the industries within the park will create a total of 60,000 jobs in double shift.
Labour intensive textile and garment industry sector can empower women by offering them financial liberty, observed Islam. He also said that as compared to the traditional jobs which generate minimum income, women can benefit more if they get the opportunity to work in the apparel and textile sector.
Bangladesh’s textile sector employs about 4 million people, 90 per cent of whom are women. He said that women can lead good lives by working in the apparel sector and Ethiopia can learn from Bangladesh about how to empower women.
