UNIDO, Government Representatives Visit Bure Integrated Agro-Industrial Park

Ms. Aurelia P. Calabrò, UNIDO Representative and Director of the Regional Hub, Ms. Semereta Sewasew , State Minister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance and other senior Ethiopia government officials from different sectors visited the Integrated Agro-Industrial Park (IAIP) in Bure, West Gojam, Amhara Regional State. 

The visiting team also interacted with regional stakeholders on the conducive business environment being created and challenges that require policy and administrative support at the Federal level.

The Bure IAIP occupies an area of 1000 ha including three provinces in West Gojam, East Gojam, and Awi. Out of 1000 ha, 160 ha have been developed. The team noted that the major facilities have been completed with the exception of the power sub-station (only 29%) that is a work to be carried out by the Federal Government. Similarly, the wastewater treatment plant is almost completed (95% civil works finalized) and the mechanical equipment procured and being manufactured. The plant is expected to be finalized by June/July.

A total of 500,000 people are expected to benefit directly or indirectly from the Bure IAIP. This also includes 200,000 farmers and 28,000 workers at factory level.

Challenges facing the Bure IAIP include sustainable supply of raw materials, attraction of anchor investors and financial capacity (access to finance), among others.

At the end of the field visit, it was decided that the project team would come up with a comprehensive report, indicating lessons learned and measures that need to be taken at the Federal and Regional levels, development partners and all stakeholders to address the issues identified during the mission.