The Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIA) has licensed some 2077 projects during the first half of the current fiscal year with a registered capital of over 35.9 billion birr, the agency’s latest data indicated.

According to the agency’s data, the manufacturing sector has attracted the highest number of projects registered during the reported period where some 507 projects were licensed with a combined registered capital of over 18.8 billion birr.

Real estate, renting and business activities, categorized as one of the thirteen major investment areas, was the second major sector that attracted 360 projects with a combined registered capital of over 4.5 billion birr.

The agricultural sector was the third largest area of investment for both foreign and local investment projects licensed during the reported half year. Some 351 projects were registered with an aggregate capital of over 4.1 billion in this sector during the reported period.

Of the 2017 projects licensed during the reported period, some 27 projects have become operational while the rest have yet to finalize preparations to commence operation.