ADDIS ABABA, Aug 08, 2010 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --
A Chinese Company, Huang Shan Cement plc of the Guangdong Chuanhui Technology Development Group Co. Ltd. on Sunday officially commenced production of clinker and cement in Mojo town of the Oromia Regional State about 75 km south of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

The Group invested in the cement manufacturing company in 2009.

Speaking at the official launching ceremony of the production, Gu Xiaojie, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, said the operation of Huang Shan Cement Clinker Production line is an excellent showcase for the successful cooperation in the field of investment between China and Ethiopia.

Gu has expressed delight that the project by the Group helps boost the economic development of Ethiopia by utilizing its natural resources and local labor force.

The ambassador said the Chinese government had always been supportive to and encouraging the Chinese companies to invest in Ethiopia that they play constructive role in Ethiopia's industrialization endeavors.

"I am very glad to see that, according to the Ethiopian Investment Agency, there were more than 700 Chinese investment projects with a volume at 1.2 billion U.S. dollars by November 2008," said Ambassador Gu.

"There are great potentials in the cooperation between China and Ethiopia as the economies of the two countries are highly complementary. I am looking forward to more Chinese companies to invest in Ethiopia, which will bring more tangible benefits for the well-being of both peoples of the two countries," he said.

"The Chinese embassy will do its best to continue to support and provide necessary service to the Chinese companies," he added.

It has been almost two years since Guangdong Chuanhui Group invested industry in Ethiopia.

Yanlin Liu, president of the group, said on the occasion that the group would do all its possible to contribute to Ethiopia' s economic promotion and improve the livelihoods of the local people by providing more job opportunities.

Speaking on his part, Abdulaziz Mohammed, Vice-President of the Oromia Regional State, said the construction of the cement plant helps to narrow the gap between demand and supply of the products while it creates significant number of jobs for the local people.

"Having more cement plants like this one, however, if the amount of production of cement exceeds the amount needed locally, export the rest to foreign market, while creating jobs for our graduates and people; aside from the jobs created for those who will have to perform duties inside the factory, it also provides sideline jobs for people in the localities," said Abdulaziz.

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