The industrial areas, which will be supplied for private investors for the construction of heavy and medium-scale industries based on the master plans of the respective towns, are being prepared with the technical assistance of a joint forum set up under the auspces of the ministry.

Accordingly, the Addis Ababa City Administration will supply 1187.2 hectares of land in six selected areas locally called 'Mekanisa-Lebu', 'Bole_lemi' and Repi, among others, the ministry has said.

The preparation of the stated hectares of land in the capital was estimated to cost 180 million Birr.

Some 140 hectares of land have already been demarcated as industrial zones in four towns of Amhara State including Bahir Dar and will be given to investors during the reported period, the ministry said.

The Tigray State on its part will make available industrial sites covering 170 hectares in four towns including its capital, Mekelle, while the Dire Dawa Administrative Council has 20 hectares of land demarcated for the construction of industries.

The Oromiya State has prepared 88.8 hectares of land in Nazreth town to be used for the same purpose while it has launched study aimed at making available industrial sites in its 11 other towns, according to the ministry.

Areas covering 590 hectares of land in 10 towns including Awassa in South Ethiopia Peoples' State is planned to be used for the construction of industries.

The forum comprises of representatives from stated regional States, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation and other pertinent offices was set up to facilitate the preparation of the industrial zones.

The establishment of the forum is aimed at at integrating various services among stakeholders.