Addis Ababa: The peace and stability created in the Somali region following the reform attracting huge investments in various sectors, including agriculture, Somali Regional State Chief Administrator Mustefe Mohamed said.
Mustefe told ENA that the Somali region has been in an atmosphere of conflict for many years.
Following the reform, however, the people have benefited from development in all fields due to the prevailing lasting peace and stability, he noted.
He stated that a new chapter has been opened by attracting huge investment in agriculture, industry and service sectors and the development of agricultural production has doubled after the reform.
Mustefe further pointed out large-scale irrigation development projects worth no less than 8 billion birr are being conducted in two zones of the region.
There are also extensive investment activities in both rain and summer irrigation development, he said, adding that wheat and rice cultivation is being done on a large scale.
According to him, efforts w
ill be made to increase national foreign exchange earnings by supplying food crops to the foreign market besides ensuring food sovereignty by replacing food crops with local production.
The tourism sector in the region was weak, he said, further adding that activities are being done to develop the sector.
In particular, he mentioned that the Dine for Generation project, which was started by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is contributing to the revitalization of the sector.
Mustafe said that when the road, water and power infrastructure problems are solved in a sustainable way, it will be possible to use the region’s potential for national development.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency