Addis Ababa, April 8(ENA)--The government would encourage and provide every assistance to entrepreneurs engaged in the export sector, Minister of Trade and Industry said.

Girma Biru said the government has been taking constructive measures aimed at promoting export trade.

Girma was speaking at the opening of a workshop held here on Tuesday to deliberate on the implementation of the revised investment code and incentives regulation.

Cognizant of the compulsory role of investment in the economic development, the government has been revising its policies with a view to attracting more investors in the sector, he said.

Girma said a 1.5 billion Birr loan has been earmarked to investors engaged in export trade with a view to boosting their operational capacities.

The establishment of the joint consultative council of the government and the business community was instrumental in addressing the challenges the exporters have been facing, he said.

General Manager of the Ethiopian Investment Authority, Abi Woldemeskel said on his part that the amended investment code is believed to enhance participation of local and foreign entrepreneurs.

More than 200 participants drawn from pertinent government offices and investors involved in export trade attended the half-day workshop.

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