Dorcas Ilunga
17 September 2009
opinion
Construction of a modern multi-million Africa International Trade Centre is under way in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.
The trade centre to be called Addis Africa International Trade Centre will be the first of its kind in Africa and will among other things enhance business and economic interaction among Africans.
Trade centre project manager Ayalew Abey disclosed in Addis Ababa that the project which is owned by the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA) will cost about US$23million.
Mr Abey said the project is unique because it will see the birth of a trade centre which will bring together all African countries and provide an opportunity for them to sell their products particularly exports to the rest of the continent.
Construction of the trade centre which will start soon is expected to be accomplished in three distinct phases and estimated to take three years to complete.
Zambia's ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga has described the project as a positive development to Zambia and Africa as a whole.
Mr Muchanga said Zambia would benefit by ensuring she undertakes regular exhibitions of export products potential to Ethiopia, the rest of Africa and even to the Middle East.
Apart from providing a forum for trade, the centre will also have a training, research and information department which will provide African business people with information on business and investment opportunities on the continent.
The trade centre will be constructed by renowned architectural and engineering talents on an area more than 110,000 square metres in front of Addis Ababa's CMC Diplomatic Village.
The AACCSA recently organised a retreat in Sodere Resort (50km south of Addis Ababa) as part of the consultative process towards the establishment of the centre. The retreat attracted participants from the AACCSA, the city administration and African diplomats based in Addis Ababa.
Fikre Binyam a business executive based in Addis Ababa said the trade centre will enable Ethiopian businesspersons to expand sales for their export products.
"Ethiopian businesspersons and women have had opportunities to participate in trade fairs in different African countries but the trade centre to be constructed in Addis Ababa will help us to sell our products to many African countries," he said.
Mr Binyam said the project should be supported because it will be the first trade centre in Africa to help promote trade and investment on the continent.
He said the centre will not only promote trade but also technology transfer among African business people.
Hayat Hailu a businessperson based in Addis Ababa said the centre project was a dream come true for female entrepreneurs in Africa.
" At regional level, female entrepreneurs have had opportunities to meet at trade fares to share business experiences. However, this trade centre will be a meeting point for all female entrepreneurs in Africa which is a very positive development for," she said.
And AACCSA president Eyessus Zafa said that apart from bringing together African investors, the centre will also play a key role in the creation of the African Economic Community ( AEC) under the auspices of the African Union.
The AEC is one of the long term objectives of the AU aimed at boosting economic development on the continent.
The trade centre project is certainly good news for Africa as it has a potential of enhancing trade and investment opportunities in Africa.
The author is the first secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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African Trade Centre; let it be a reality just has it was explained in the news dated Sept 17, 2009. Now, we "Africans" will start smilling a little bit; but let's not forget that there are more regid roads ahead of the continent. All loving and progressive Africans with good ideas concerning Africa, please keep pushing and do what's best for our continent and her people regardless of religions, tribes, education ect; sex preferencies, maybe. Why? It's not Africa culture and traditions; and Sex is between a man and a woman. God Blessed Africa.
IT IS A GREAT IDEA AND INTIATIVE FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT.THNAKS MR FIRST SECRETARY.