Innovation Cooperation Between China And Germany Enables Sustainable Development Of Textile And Garment Industry In Ethiopia

From September 15 to September 16, 2022, an International Conference on Sustainable Textile investment and operation in Ethiopia was held at the conference center of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zhao Zhiyuan, Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, Melaku alebel, Minister of industry of Ethiopia, and Heiko nitzschke, provisional representative of the German Embassy in Ethiopia, attended the meeting and delivered speeches.

The meeting is an important output of China Germany Ethiopia trilateral cooperation project "investment and operation of Sustainable Textile Industry in Ethiopia". The project is jointly implemented by China Textile Industry Association (CNTAC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (undo), German international cooperation enterprise (Giz) and Ethiopia Textile Industry Development Research Institute (etidi). The project aims to improve the environmental, social and Governance (ESG) performance of Ethiopia's textile industry, meet global challenges, and enhance the sustainable development capacity of African textile industry. The social responsibility Office of China Textile Industry Federation participated in the meeting as one of the implementing parties of the project.

In his speech, Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan pointed out that the textile industry is an important industry in developing countries and one of the important signs of industrialization. Ethiopia's population advantage is remarkable, and its textile industry has great development potential and broad prospects. China has always attached great importance to cooperation in the textile field with Ethiopia, and has helped the development of Ethiopia's textile industry through investment, trade and training. Ethiopia's textile industry is one of the largest sources of foreign investment, increasing the income of the Chinese people by about US $500 million. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and other parties, promote more Chinese textile enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, and make greater contributions to enhancing the well-being of the Chinese and Egyptian people and Sino Egyptian friendship.

　　 "China has always attached great importance to cooperation with Ethiopia's textile industry, and has always supported the sustainable development of Ethiopia's textile industry through trade, investment and other means."

Zhao Zhiyuan, Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia

Melaku alebel, Minister of industry of Ethiopia, pointed out that on the road of industrialization in Ethiopia, the government is committed to enhancing the global competitiveness of the textile industry and carrying out the necessary structural reforms to improve the partnership between Ethiopia's textile industry, Chinese enterprises and international brands. He also said that the tripartite cooperation helped Ethiopia attract more Chinese investors and promote the development of its textile industry. In the last fiscal year ending July 7, 2022, the industrial parks created more than 80000 new jobs, of which Chinese companies recruited the largest number of job seekers, especially women.

　　 "China's role in Ethiopia's development is multifaceted. When we look at the number of investors in Ethiopia, Chinese investors account for the largest share. China's role in foreign direct investment in Ethiopia is enormous."

- Melaku alebel, Minister of industry of Ethiopia

　　 China (Ethiopia) textile and light industry enterprises sustainable development alliance (ACES) Mr. Wei Changjun, chairman, delivered a speech on behalf of Chinese enterprises. "As one of the enterprises, no one pays more attention to the environment, society and corporate governance than we do," he said. "We have traveled thousands of miles to invest our hard-earned money into the real industry. We are very concerned about long-term and sustainable development. Our entrepreneurs believe that employees and team spirit are the most valuable assets of the enterprise, and we are determined to do so Integrate with your community and become a responsible party 。”

At the meeting, China Textile Information Center (CTIC) and Ethiopia Manufacturing Development Institute (emidi) signed a memorandum of understanding. Qiao Yanjin, director of China Textile Information Center, said that both sides recognized the importance of ESG in improving the responsible investment and operation of Ethiopia's textile industry, and would work together to obtain the support of other stakeholders Responsible textile and clothing supply chain in the region Cooperation and healthy competition.

　　 China Textile Information Center and Ethiopia Manufacturing Development Institute signed a memorandum of understanding

Liang Xiaohui, chief researcher of the social responsibility Office of China Textile Industry Federation, shared the research results of the project to all participants, introduced the main findings in the baseline survey phase of the project, and provided a series of training on ESG capability improvement for Chinese textile enterprises in Ethiopia, One of the ESG's projects on Sustainable Textile Management was released.

Representatives of UN Global Compact (UNGC), International Labor Organization (ILO), Ethiopian textile and Garment Manufacturers Association (etgama), Ethiopia Industrial Park Development Corporation (IPDC), Ethiopia Investment Commission (EIC), International Finance Corporation (IFC) Ethiopia regional office also attended the meeting.

(source: social responsibility Office of China Textile Federation)

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