|
Sher Ethiopia, the largest flower producing company,
is keen to launch its own cargo flight to export
flowers. The company last week discussed with the
Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECA) on the
practicability of its desire.
The Authority has requested the company to table a
detailed official request stating the type of
aircraft to be used as well as its flight schedule.
A source at the company told Fortune that the
company would submit its official request to the
Authority within one month.
“Before it came to the Authority for discussion,
Sher had approached the Office of the Prime
Minister, and has been given the green light to
proceed,” he told Fortune.
Sher was established by a group of investors that
are currently working on a 500ht of land in Ziway,
163Km east of Addis Abeba in the Oromia Regional
State. The company has 20 blocks sheltered by green
houses that have housed nine investors of which four
are local. Each block is nine hectares wide.
Moreover, Sher has a giant vegetable project in Meki
identical to the one in Ziway, which also works with
out-growers scheme. With this project, Sher collects
vegetables and fruits from producing companies and
supplies it to the European market having processed
and packed it. The acquisition of an aircraft is
envisaged to boost the company’s exports more.
Sources told Fortune that the company is
installing a huge fruits and vegetable and
processing factory, a cooling machine and
agricultural drip irrigation on the land. Sher also
has requested 300ht of the former Ethio-Korean farm.
An identical request from Sher had failed in October
2006. The reason for the failure was resistance from
the Ethio-Hortishare Company, a flower shipping
broker established by 30 flower exporters and the
Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters and
Association (EHPEA).
Tsegaye Abebe, president of the Association, told
Fortune that they are concerned as the company
demands payment in dollars.
Executives at Sher have re-emphasised their interest
again, and seem to have convinced officials at the
authority.
Mesfin Fikru, general director of the ECA, told
Fortune that the Authority would grant the
permit to the company.
“Ethiopia has a bilateral flight agreement with the
Netherlands, and this will ease the facilitation,”
he said.
Ethiopia has allocated close to 3000ht of hand for
flower investment until December 2007.
|
