Welcome

GEM Project organized GEM project dissemination and replication workshop

Greening Ethiopian Manufacturing (GEM) Project has organized GEM project dissemination and replication workshop in Addis Ababa at Inter Luxury Hotel on 9^th of September 2021. The workshop was opened with keynote speech by Mr Asfaw Abebe, Director General of FSMMIPA and Mr Yesuf Ademnur, secretary general of ECCSA.

The objective of the work shop was

• To develop and present tools for effective Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) knowledge and experience transfer to other sectoral and regional contexts,
• To provide sustainable support on SCP practices for MSMEs in Ethiopia beyond the duration of the project.

Mr Asfaw in his remark thanked the organizers of the workshop and praised the efforts of Mr. Yesuf. He further explained the importance of SCP principles adaptation to improve the quality and attractiveness of MSMEs products there by substitute Ethiopian Imports and minimize the need for high Foreign exchange.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Yesuf, S.G of ECCSA and chairperson of GEM AB reflected how the project designed, its objective and achievements. He stressed the significance of sustainable production practices to protect environment and to minimize wastage of raw materials. He also stated the dissemination and replication workshop should transfer the needed knowledge and share experience to the participants. He concluded his remarks by acknowledging the contribution of the EU in supporting the project financiay. He also thanked the FSMMIPA for participating in the workshop.

Mr Heyeru Hussien GEM project coordinator, presented to participants about GEM project, its objectives, its goals, why MSMEs, activities and GEM achievements.  GEM Project SCP specialists Abel Endrias presented to participant’s good lessons from GEM experiences on Leather clusters.  Moreover, Mr Muzeyen Siraj GEL (Green Ethiopian Leather) JV deputy manager presented the objectives (chrome free and zero waste) and shared good experience of GEL and the advantages gained from GEM project.

Mr Romha Alazar GEM Project SCP specialists presented to participants about sustainable fashion show and Lalibela Art and craft festival good lessons with their potential for replication on selected sector.

Mr Heyeru Hussien presented to participants, the GEM replication plan and the way forward. Fianlly plenary discussion was held and participants appreciated the excellent presentation and what the project has been doing.  Moreover, their interest to be part of the project. The participants also forwarded their concern on getting machinery and raw material.

Sep 10, 2021

On 2nd of September 2021 Greening Ethiopian Manufacturing (GEM) Project has organized GEM project dissemination and replication workshop in Arbaminch Tourist hotel with an attendance of 33 SMEs, one from Arbaminch city mayor office, 2 Arbaminch city administration industries and enterprises development office official and representatives and one representative from Arbaminch city chamber of commerce and sectoral associations

The objective of the work shop was

• To develop and present tools for effective SCP knowledge and experience transfer to other sectoral and regional contexts,
• To provide sustainable support on SCP practices for MSMEs in Ethiopia beyond the duration of the project.

The workshop was opened with keynote speech by Mr Dargie Waliu, Advisor to Arbaminch city mayor office, Mr Yesuf Ademnur, secretary general of ECCSA and Mr Bogale Bitani Arbaminch city Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association president.

Mr Dargie in his remark highlighted the importance of SCP principles adaptation in the manufacturing sector and the city readiness in supporting SMEs in adopting the SCP principles. He promised to work with ECCSA and the city Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations on what GEM recommends to be replicate in Arbaminch

Mr Yesuf, cover points from how the project designed to what has been achieved. During his remark he repeatedly acknowledges the contribution of EU in supporting the project financial and invites the EUD to continue its support for GEM to extend its impact in all parts of Ethiopia.

Mr Bogale, president of ACCSA highlights what the chamber has been doing in promoting the city cultural heritage and their plan to make the city as hub of cultural clothes production. He also gave recognition for what GEM done so far and promised to work with ECCSA in replicating what GEM recommends.

The project coordinator, Mr Heyeru Hussien and the project SCP specialists Abel Endrias and Romha Alazar presented to participants about GEM project, what GEM achieved, what good lessons Arbaminch city SMEs should learn from GEM cluster members, and list of regions with their potential for replication and selected sector.

Participants appreciated what the project have been doing and forward their concern regarding space for productions and sales, access to finance and lack of leadership that leads the SMEs together in reaping the opportunity of organic products and environmentally sensitive production process.

Sep 7, 2021

On 11^th of August 2021 GEM arranged a one day capacity building training on Product development, marketing and financial management for Adama SMEs at Adama hotel.

The following topics were covered in the training

• What are the main challenges of SMEs? Why SMEs fail?
• How we enhance SMEs life in the market?
• What is product development in accordance with circular economy and when and how products should be developed?
• What is marketing and the role of social media like (Facebook and telegram) in product promotion and sales
• What is the critical challenge in financial management? And how SMEs should record their accounts

The capacity building session was full of practical group assignments. Thirty five SMEs participated and the training supported by PPT presentation and video lessons from other country experiences.

The capacity building was conducted with full support in selection and inviting SMEs by Adama City Administration industries and enterprises development office.

Aug 16, 2021

On 10^th of August 2021 Greening Ethiopian Manufacturing (GEM) Project had organized GEM project dissemination and replication workshop in Adama canopy hotel with an attendance of 35 SMEs, 5 media outlets and 3 Adama City Administration Industries and Enterprises Development Office official and representatives.

The objective of the workshop was

• To develop and present tools for effective SCP knowledge and experience transfer to other sectoral and regional contexts,
• To provide sustainable support on SCP practices for MSMEs in Ethiopia beyond the duration of the project.

The workshop was opened with keynote speech by Mr Abu Aman, Deputy Head for the city industries and enterprises office and Mr Yesuf Ademnur, secretary general of ECCSA.

Mr Abu in his remark highlighted the importance of SCP principles adaptation in the manufacturing sector which is the emphasis of his bureau and appreciated the GEM initiation to replicate what it achieved in the last three years. He promised to work with ECCSA and the city Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations on what GEM recommends to be replicate in Adama.

Mr Yesuf, cover points from how the project designed to what has been achieved. During his remark he repeatedly acknowledges the contribution of EU in supporting the project financial and invites the EUD to continue its support for GEM to extend its impact in all parts of Ethiopia.

The project coordinator, Mr Heyeru Hussien presented to participants about GEM project, what GEM achieved, what good lessons Adama SMEs should learn from GEM cluster members, and list of regions with their potential for replication and selected sector.

Participants requested GEM to arrange one workshop which facilitates direct discussion with GEM cluster members and a capacity building to adapt GEM initiatives.

Aug 16, 2021

Green Ethiopian Manufacturing (GEM) and Africa118 signed MoU for partnership to assist cluster members in the GEM project, on August 6, 2021 at 4:30pm, at Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association.

The partnership is intended to provide a comprehensive package of digital tools and expertise to significantly enhance GEM cluster members’ competitiveness and access local and global markets.

Africa118 will provide various services it offers under the Norad Launch pad, GSME, and Google skill training projects to GEM project member companies. The services include:

• Digital and Financial trainings
• Website and mobile app platform development for companies
• Digital marketing
• Social media management
• Google My Business
• Google workspace
• Ecommerce and Payment
• Create joint venture with other African country companies

Greening Ethiopian Manufacturing project will provide suitable companies to be supported by Africa118 and assist in the implementation. The services to be provided by GEM include:

• Propose MSMEs to be supported by Africa118
• Conduct Co-training and workshop platform with Africa118 (Digital and Financial) and
• Conduct joint experience and knowledge sharing platforms.
• Conduct Joint publicity and showcase events with Africa118
• Provide experience sharing of MSMEs in GEM project
• Sharing reports shared by African118 to the companies under GEM project
• Conduct follow-ups on MSMEs progress
• Help facilitate formation of Joint ventures with other African country clusters

Greening Ethiopian Manufacturing (GEM) Project is implemented by The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), PRECISE Consult International and Innovative Organizations (Inoa), and funded by the European Union under the Switch Africa Green initiative to support Ethiopian Micro and Small-scale Manufacturing Enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practices and seizing green growth opportunities, thus contributing to improved economic performance of private sector and to the enhancement of their international competitiveness.

Africa’s Information Services Solution (Africa 118), was founded in 2010 to solve a critical information gap: 85% of mobile customers surveyed in a major African city claimed to have difficulty finding accurate information for the local businesses and services they were looking for. Furthermore, less than 5% of the businesses Africa118 surveyed had any online presence making it difficult for them to be found. Africa118 have developed world-class solutions for both consumers and local businesses to solve these problems.  Africa118 is funded by Norwegian government.

Aug 9, 2021

GEM project conducted cooperative cluster members' training on November 4 and 5, 2020 at Wereda 06 - Youth Centre, Addis Ababa. The training aimed to create an opportunity for the women pottery makers (GEM - Cooperative cluster members) to show what the market holds and how they should react towards the market changes.

The training also intended on how to approach the market and how to brand their products has been given to them. In addition, a guest speaker W/ro Fekeret from Feker design has shared her amazing experience with the women.

Nov 11, 2020