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Following operations by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) to restore the rule of law in the Tigray region, several companies in the region petitioned the government for prompt compensation for losses and damages suffered during the operation.
At a meeting on Friday evening, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoTI) consulted with businessmen and managers in the Tigray region on ways to address the problems companies faced during the operation.
Ministry officials noted that there are 93 giant companies and about 6,700 small and medium-sized enterprises in the region, and that a task force has been set up to conduct a survey and investigate the cost of damage to revitalize factories and convert them into normal production.
Meeting participants raised issues such as bank closures, power and internet cuts, road closures, and delay costs at the Djibouti port along with the cost of burned businesses and thefts amounting to hundreds of millions of birr.
Abera Tasew, shareholder of Sabana Irrigation and Diario AJJ, lamented the burning of properties and the theft of 500 dairy cows in Raya.
He asked the government for a ransom to restart the business immediately. However, he reflected his frustrations by voicing his doubts about whether to continue his previous business unless the government takes swift action.
Sheba leather industry marketing and business development manager Zerabruk G / Michael regretted the government’s operation.
According to Zerabruk, more than 100 million birr worth of property has been lost due to theft and fires at the factory, emphasizing the need for government support in finance and facilitating official procedures at customs and financial institutions.
Semayata Dimensional Stones Marketing Manager Tigest Fantahun was one of the participants who asked officials to make financial arrangements to re-establish the factory built with the latest machinery brought in from Europe.
The factory, which is located in Wuqiro, had at least 500 employees, Tigist said. However, he fears that the machinery will not be restored and work again.
Tigest said that “even if we say that the machinery will work after the restoration, the employees we brought from Albania and Italy went to their country fearing for their safety.”
The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, responding to questions from businessmen and managers, reiterated the government’s commitment to support the Tigrayan companies affected by the operation.
According to the Minister of State, the government will have financial and Forex support for companies that are ready to return to action in no time.
In addition, he asked the companies to inform the Ministry of their damage.
