Ethiopia generates $2.6bn from exports

The Ethiopian Government had generated $2.6bn from the export of goods and commodities within the last 10 months, Trade  Ministry official announced on Tuesday.

The ministry’s Spokesperson, Amakele Yimam ,told newsmen in Addis Ababa that the amount was generated mainly from the export of animals, fruits and vegetables, coffee, hide and skin, textile and garments.

The News Agency of Nigeria quoted Yimam as saying that the revenue generation had risen by $4.8m, a substantial increase over the amount collected during the last Ethiopian fiscal year.

Ethiopia exported these items in large quantities to countries in the Middle East and some parts of Europe to earn foreign exchanges and attract revenues, Yiman said.

The spokesperson, however, said that the 64 per cent of the revenue target for the current fiscal year had been attained in the last  10 months.

Yiman blamed the low performance in coffee export on drop in coffee price and supply shortage.