Page 48 - Abyssinia Busniess Network November 2019

acknowledgements both at home input for all development agenda.
and at an international level. I have
got honors from the FDRE Ministry “ “I think the current chaos
of Culture and Tourism and and socio-political turmoil in
Ethiopian Tourism Organization at I’m dreaming of our country will pass. So I’m
different times. I have also received dreaming of establishing a
Century International Quality establishing globally-known huge leather
Award which is an internationalgold industry that produces uniquely
award, and also Quality Service a globally- Ethiopian leather products for the
and quality management Award in international market.”
Geneva, Switzerland. known huge
leather ABN:What other business do you
run?
ABN: Have you ever engaged industry that
in discharging your social Zelalem: I haven’t been stuck only
responsibility, or any community produces with the tourism business. I had to
development activity? search for another feasible business
uniquely which is directly or indirectly
Zelalem: yes, our company has related to the sector. I have learnt
been participating in various social Ethiopian that there is a gap in leather and
activities. For instance, we have leather leather product market in Ethiopia.
managed to develop green areas in I have also learnt that Ethiopia’s
a bid to participating in the national products hides and skins are of superior and
environmental protection endeavor; good quality to produce leather
places such as Meskel Square and in for the products that could attract both
front of the newly inaugurated Unity local and global shoppers.
Park have been rehabilitated by our international A good number of foreigners are
young Ethiopians who have finally ” and continental and international
company, and tried to change the
market.
ugly faces of the areas. Furthermore,
coming to the country for regional
we have managed to plant various
indigenous trees at Entoto Botanic
conferences and tourism purposes
Garden. Wehave also donated
here in the capital, Addis Ababa;
these are tourists who could buy
blood in connection with our tenth
quality Ethiopian leather products.
anniversary. Regarding capacity
building, we did our best to cover
Then I decided to get into leather
the training cost of at least fifteen
pay due attention to maintain peace
our Tour and Travel bureau nearby
and stability across the country; the
run their own tour and travel agents. canceled. The government has to business. First we have changed
Monarch Hotel at Bole into leather
path we are taking this time around show room. We have begun with
ABN: How do you assess the is not good. The image we have built only two machines, changing
existing situation of the country’s for a long period of time seems to semi-finished leather products
tourism sector? be ruined, and it might take long to to finished leather products,
rebuild a destroyed image. Ethiopia and found it was a feasible and
Zelalem: Oh, right now while you is endowed with all types of tourist profitable business.
and me are holding this interview attractions in all types of seasons; we
the situation is worsening. During don’t have to lose the opportunity to “When the going gets tough the
this high season the political unleash the potential in a sustainable tough get going, that’s what I
instability is jeopardizing the sector. manner. So I could say that the believe”
As a result, significant numbers of Ethiopian government and the people
tour and travel schedules have been need to take peace as a significant We are now mainly producing

46 Abyssinia Business Nework ህዳር 2012 / November 2019