The partnership between GIZ Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Government, and the private sector is bearing fruit in various areas, according to GIZ Ethiopia Program Head Anna Waldamann.
The program head told ENA that the partnerships of GIZ with Ethiopian Government institutions and the private sector are cooperative, constructive, and successful.
She said GIZ is working on different levels to promote private sector development.
For instance, it has been working with the government to provide policy advisory in the field of creating a better business environment, the head added.
“We also work with business associations to help them strengthen and deliver better services for their members, and advocate for the policy changes they want to see. Besides we work with companies directly to increase their production capacity so that they can produce more, sell more, and create more jobs.”
In general, “I would say our partnership and cooperation is constructive,” Waldamann underscored.
According to her, the corporative and constructive partnership of GIZ is demonstrated by support and engagements with government institutions and the private sector.
She mentioned as an example the support GIZ extended to the Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on the economic reforms organized by the Ministry of Industry last week.
“We see the latest macroeconomic reforms has presented a good opportunity for the private sector to take the lead and grow,” Waldamann noted.
In the reforms, the PPD plays a key role in creating consensus, resolving challenges, and seizing opportunities.
Moreover, the program head revealed that the organization focuses on improving the business environment and sector-specific programs, including in the agriculture sector.
“In the agricultural field, we work in different value chains to help strengthen the value chain for certain products; and we have a specific project on textile, garment, and leather.”
With regard to this, Waldamann cited a successful project under the programs. In the textile and garment sector project the organization has successfully facilitated the visit of 22 international buyers to come to Ethiopia.
“They have (now) an annual turnover of more than a billion Euros. They came to Ethiopia, visited companies here, and showed interest in sourcing from Ethiopia.”
This helps to create jobs, especially for women, and increase export earnings that the country needs, the head explained, adding that it also promotes Ethiopia as a manufacturing hub for the international fashion industry.
However, promoting the textile and garment sector requires additional government and company action, including resolving logistics challenges.
Source: ENA
