A film documentary on the country’s flourishing floriculture industry and the demand for the flowers in the Japanese market was premiered at TICAD IV meeting for heads of state and government and representatives of international organizations.

In his paper presented at the meeting on “New trend of business in Africa”, Prime Minister Meles indicated that the sector has not been significant until 2000.

He said from 2000 on, the sector has shown remarkable growth owing to the government’s attention exerted to the sector.

He said floriculture sites in the country, including those under formation, has reached 235 at present.

The growth of the sector is easily understood from the quantity of flowers supplied to international market.

Meles said the country is exporting 97 percent of its floriculture products to Japan and Russia and is earning significant amount of foreign exchange in the process.

The growth of the sector over the past few years attests to the fruitfulness of government’s efforts undertaken in collaboration with the private sector to ensure economic growth.

Meles also indicated that the government has exerted several incentives to investors engaged in the sector.

Meles said the country exported 243 million legs of flower in 2005 which skyrocketed to 950 million in 2007.

In terms of return, the country secured 51 million USD from the export of flowers in 2005 which increased to 168 million USD in 2007.

So far, flower farms have created jobs to 25,000 people, majority of them being women.

The farmers are fulfilled with necessary infrastructure facilities such as internet, electric power services and other facilities.

Prime Minister Meles also indicated the contribution of the Ethiopian airlines in providing cargo services.

The Ethiopian delegation which went to Japan to attend the meeting returned home earlier on Saturday.

R:4:00-5:00

E:5:30 pm

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