Italian Companies Considering Business in Ethiopia

 By Zerihun Getachew

Italian companies engaged in the construction sector are considering utilizing business opportunities in Ethiopia and being profitable.

Representatives of two Italian companies at the 11th Ethio-Con Exhibition, a construction exhibition said Ethiopia is a right place for construction contractors.

Managing Director of Nove Consulting Company, an Italian company that has been working in Ethiopia for the past 14 years, Fabio Santoni, said Ethiopia has attractive investment opportunity.
"There are interesting opportunities. In this particular moment Ethiopia can provide opportunities for foreign investors, and things are [going] in the right way; the country is putting development in the center of the objective of the government and also the people," he said.

The company is promoting business opportunities in Ethiopia to Italian companies so that they would be able to exhibit their products in various exhibitions in the country, he added. The Ethio-CON 2014 exhibition is one of them.
He noted that Ethiopia is the best investment destination compared to other African countries and the right place to benefit from investment projects.
"Ethiopia is the country where you can take your benefit after one year if you work strongly."
The company is providing consultancy service on tour operation, food processing, and agro processing areas.

The firm has set plan to launch three additional projects in 2015.

Italian Plumbing Products (IPP) is another Italian company displaying products at the exhibition. According to its Sales Manager, Federico Tonelli, the investment atmosphere in Ethiopia has attracted the company.
The company engaged in construction is considering about opening its second office for Africa here in Addis to reach the East African region, according to Tonelli.

Federico said the firm is interested to work jointly with local companies who would be able to utilize knowledge and qualified personnel that the company offers.

"I am coming here in Ethiopia not only to sell but also to establish a business relation with the local constructors, distributers and partners. I am also here to introduce our products and providing services."
The 11th specialized international exhibition on construction (ETHIO-CON 2014) being held in Addis Ababa, which gathers local and foreign owned companies is one of the opportunities to promote the country's potential in this sector.

In this year's Ethio-con exhibition over 200 companies engaged in construction are displaying their products and services at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center.

The companies are from Italy, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

Source: ENA