Unilever Global Company to Expand Investment in Ethiopia

Unilever CEO Paul Polman and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–The British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company, Unilever Global, has expressed interest to expand its investment in Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had discussion with Unilever CEO Paul Polman on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. The consumer goods company has built a factory that has gone operational last June with 13 million Euros in Eastern Industrial Zone, not far from the capital Addis Ababa.

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said the company has a plan to engage in tea production too. It will soon conduct feasibility study, according to the CEO. On the other hand, the company announced that it would expand its investment in cleaning agents and personal care products.

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The recently inaugurated factory has been producing nine kinds of products, including soaps and powder soap, it was learned. The company based in London and Amsterdam has many branches across the world and the factory it built in Ethiopia is its 90th factory, Polman said. The factory has created 100 jobs and more that 500 participate in the distribution of its products, he further added.

According to the CEO, Unilever wants Ethiopia to be included in a commission which is established by its initiation to assess the negatives impacts the Global Climate Change Convention has on trade activities.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said his government will support the investment expansion plans of the company. Ethiopia is also willing to become a member of the commission and ready to collaborate with it, he added.

Source: Ethiopian Investment Commission
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