Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) has officially announced that the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone is now fully operational.

This marks a significant milestone for the project, which is designed to attract investment and boost economic activity. Investors in the process of obtaining licenses from the Ethiopian Investment Commission recently visited the zone to explore its services.

Fisseha Yitagesu, CEO of IPDC, confirmed that the zone is now functioning at full capacity. He also highlighted Ethiopian Investment Commission’s commitment to supporting investors and facilitating their entry into the zone.

The Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, the first of the IPDC’s parks to become a free trade zone, is already hosting manufacturing companies that are marketing their products. The zone provides warehousing, storage, and distribution facilities, aligning with global standards for free trade zones.

Located in Dire Dawa, a city with over 450,000 residents, the Free Trade Zone covers 150 hectares but has the potential to expand to 4,000 hectares. It aims to reduce inflation, generate income, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and improve Ethiopia’s global competitiveness. The project is also expected to reduce illegal trafficking and enhance regional economic integration, positioning Ethiopia as a growing industrial hub in Africa.

Source (including image): Ethiopian News Agency