Ethiopia opens up to Italian textile machinery

An Italian textile machinery delegation will be on hand at the upcoming multi-industry Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (ACITF), to be held in Addis Ababa from February 23 to March 1, 2017.

Ethiopia is an emerging production hub for the global textile and garments industry. Cheap labour costs, free-trade agreements with major western markets and a constantly growing economy (with a forecast GDP of 10 per cent for the coming years) have made this Sub-Saharan African country a choice destination for the manufacturing of garments by major industry retailers.

Given the necessary upgrade in technology required, the demand for textile machinery is growing consequently, sustained by incentive schemes enacted by the government authorities to attract foreign capital. Thus, the 21st edition of the multi-industry ACITF trade fair will feature a delegation of Italian textile machinery manufacturers at the Italian pavilion organised by the ICE-Agency. Among these are the following ACIMIT associated members: Carù, Corino, Fadis, Ferraro, Itema, Marzoli, Mei, Reggiani, Roj, Salvadè, Savio, Sicam and Simet.

ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli is extremely confident in the Ethiopian market, “Our exports have grown significantly over the past five years, although their overall value remains quite modest (4.4 million euros in 2015).” Over the first nine months of 2016, Italy ranked third, right behind China and Turkey, in terms of sales of textile machinery to the Ethiopian market. Carabelli continues: “The quality of our machine technology is superior to that of our competitors currently operating in this market. Our focus is on getting potential buyers to get to know and appreciate the quality of our technology, through opportunities such as the ACITF, as well as through the institutional missions organized in recent years, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and ICE-Agency.” 

To further strengthen Italy’s presence in Ethiopia, in 2015 ACIMIT signed a memorandum with the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute for the creation of a technology center providing expert training on textile machinery, thereby contributing to the professional training of future textile operators in Ethiopia.