S Korea, Ethiopia open textile research centre in Addis Ababa

The Ethiopian-Korean Textile Techno Park, located at the Bole Lemi Industry Zone, will offer advanced training and laboratory services to customers in the sector, an Ethiopian state-controlled media outlet reported.

Ethiopia’s vast human resource and market demand, inadequate manufacturing industry and strategic location have created a conducive environment for export-oriented manufacturers, said Ethiopian state minister for industry Hasen Mohammed at the launch event.

He hoped that experienced and skilled South Korean experts in technology, manufacturing industry, energy and infrastructure can help further Ethiopia’s industrialisation.

The memorandum of understanding for the research centre was signed in May 2016.

The Bole Lemi Park is an industrial base that hosts factories, including those of textiles.

There are now 12 parks in Ethiopia with a total revenue of $1 billion, according to the country’s Industrial Park Development Corporation.

South Korea started work on a similar research centre in Uzbekistan last month. Financed by the former’s development aid, the facility is located in the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)