This unique exhibition was inaugurated by H. E. Mr. Teka Gebreyesus, Honorable State Minister, FDRE Ministry of Trade Industry, Ethiopia, H.E. Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, UN, Geneva, H. E. Mr. Anurag Srivastava, Ambassador of India to The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and amongest the other esteemed dignitaries who graced the program with their presence H.E. Dr. Tizita Mulugeta, Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India, H.E. Mr. Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, The Consulate General Of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Mumbai, Mrs. Munteha Jemal Seid, Director General of Business Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ato Silesh Lemma, Director General ETIDI, H.E Ambassador Dewano Kedir, Permanent Secretary of Economic Affairs, FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official representatives from other countries as well.

The highlights of the day included donation of a “Laxmi CM-R Shuttleless Flexible Rapier Loom” from the Laxmi Shuttleless Looms Private Limited, to the Ethiopian Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University. EiTEX is Ethiopia’s premier textile educational institution the powerloom will contribute to teaching of EiTEX’s cadre of over 3000 students and expose enterprises in the Bahir Dar area to the newest weaving technologies available. This donation was supported and facilitated by the International Trade Centre’s SITA Project. ITC also launched their Report on Africa. India ITME Society and Kenya Association of Manufacturers signed MOU for further co-operation between India and Kenys in Textile Engineering Sector.

The other concurrent programs during the day were the Investment Seminar organized by ITC and moderated by Mr. Govind Venuprasad, Coordinator – SITA, ITC saw an excellent response and was well received by the audience. The panelist for the sessions were Ms. Phyllis Wakiaga, Executive Director, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Mr. Navdeep Sodhi, Partner, Gherzi Textil Organization, Switzerland, Mr. Sudatta Mandal, Chief General Manager, Lines of Credit Group, Exim Bank of India, Ms. Antje Steiner, DEG Invest, Regional Office East Africa, Mr. Sanjeeva Ileperuma, Director/CEO, Strathmore Apparel Manufacturing PLC, Eth., Mr. Pankaj Bedi, Chairman, United Aryan (EPZ) Ltd, Kenya, Dr. Philip Osafo-Kwaako, Chairman, Akosombo Industrial Co Ltd, Ghana and The B2F Meetings with Bank of Ethiopia, AWASH and Dashen and B2G meeting with Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

H. E. Mr. Anurag Srivastava, Ambassador of India to The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said, “India is a front runner for investment in Ethiopia for textile and garment industry. There is a tremendous untapped potential for export of ready made garments from Ethiopia to the West. Therefore the Textile industry, which is the largest Industry of India should explore Investment possibilities in Ethiopia and take advantage of the duty free facilities.”??H. E. Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, UN, Geneva said, “ITME AFRICA 2020 is a tribute to the African continent and the trade relation between India and Ethiopia over the past 2 decades have increased more than 8 folds. While African Companies are interested in upgrading their machineries but the major challenges they face are the financial support. Quiet a few of the companies are already looking forward to participate in the next ITME AFRICA event,” she said.??Mr. S. Hari Shankar, Chairman, India ITME Society shared that More than 180 textile and technology companies from 15 countries have to Addis Ababa to showcase their latest technology, machinery relevant to Ethiopian textile and apparel sector. Buyer delegations from Ethiopia, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania showed keen interest in doing business with the Indian participating companies.