During a ceremonial meeting at Ethiopia's Ministry of Finance on 28 February 2024, the Grant Arrangement for Cool Port Addis was signed. This happened in the presence of multiple stakeholders from both Ethiopia and the Netherlands. "The development of Cool Port Addis at Modjo Dry Port is a next step in the ambitious logistic investment agenda of Ethiopia to enhance its international trade", declared the Minister of Transport and Logistics Dr. Alemu Sime Feyisa.
Collaboration between Ethiopia and the Netherlands
The development of Cool Port Addis is a close cooperation between public and private parties from Ethiopia and the Netherlands. "As the main logistics service provider of Ethiopia and operator of Modjo Dry Port, we now enter the cool logistics sector to provide end-to-end services to exporters of perishables," tells Beriso Amelo, CEO of Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise. The Dutch interest is also clear: "Dutch companies are one of the main investors in Ethiopia's horticulture industry and the largest recipient country of exported horticulture crops," explains Henk Jan Bakker, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ethiopia.
Financing Cool Port Addis
Thee financing of Cool Port Addis was secured by a combination of Ethiopian and Dutch efforts. "This is a strategic investment and will set an example for future infrastructure investments in Ethiopia," says MoF State Minister H.E. Semereta Sewasew. The Dutch part of the finances were provided through a DRIVE grant by Invest International. Joost Oorthuizen tells why they were interested in supporting this project: "Invest International proactively promotes the development of sustainable and inclusive international trade. This is a good example of a win-win situation in which CO2 reduction, related to logistics, coincides with the creation of opportunities and economic value."
Flying Swans in Ethiopia
Flying Swans has initiated the development of Cool Port Addis and has been in the lead for the project development activities, together with the Ethiopian Maritime Authority. "The signing of the Grant Arrangement marks an important milestone in the history of Flying Swans in Ethiopia, as we start a new phase of activities in the country," says Jeroen Bos, together with Marcel Biemond Program Director of Flying Swans. "The Dutch fresh produce sector has been eagerly looking forward to this moment," says Janine Luten, Director of the Fresh Produce Center in the Netherlands, "because efficient cool logistics services are essential for international sourcing of fruit and vegetables."
Improving logistics services
That is also the reason why Port of Rotterdam is a long-time partner in the Flying Swans program. "As the main import port of fruit and vegetables in Europe, we are happy to make our services and infrastructure available to support these initiatives and make the logistics chains even more sustainable", explains Danny Levenswaard, Director of Breakbulk at the Port of Rotterdam. However, these developments do not end when Cool Port Addis is realized. Abdulber Shemsu, the Director General of the Ethiopian Maritime Authority says that "the government of Ethiopia is committed to continuously improving the logistics infrastructure and procedures in the country to promote and support its fruit and vegetable production and export sector."
Catalyzing horticulture industry
One of the main objectives of Cool Port Addis is to catalyze the growth of the horticulture industry in Ethiopia. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer and Exporters Association, further explains this: "The realization of Cool Port Addis is an important development for Ethiopian horticulture producers to enter or expand their presence in the global market." The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture also expects a bright future for its horticulture industry, according to the Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Girma Amente. "Cool Port Addis will amplify future growth and investments in the horticulture industry of Ethiopia."
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl