Ethiopia: Ministry Calls On Bottled Water, Soft Drinks Companies to Export Products
Addis Ababa Feburary 28/2019 Ministry of Trade and Industry has called on bottled water and soft drinks manufacturing industries to increase productivity and unleash Ethiopia's export industry. Speaking at the general assembly of Ethiopian Bottled and Soft Drinks Manufacturing Industries Association (EBSMIA), Trade and Industry State Minister Yohannes Dinkayehu said Ethiopia needs to exploit its export potential and transform the economy.
Two Non-alcoholic Beverage Associations Merge
The association will have 89 member
Two young associations, one representing bottled waters and soft drinks manufacturers, and the other fruits and vegetable processors, merged late last month. The new Ethiopian Bottled Water, Soft Drinks, Fruits & Vegetables Manufacturing Industries Association will have 89 members.
The decision was made at an emergency meeting by the general assembly of the Ethiopian Bottled Water & Soft Drink Manufacturing Industries Association on February 28, 2019. Held after an initiative by the Ethiopian Fruits & Vegetables Processors Association for a merger, the assembly voiced their thoughts on the matter and passed the merger proposal with no objections and four abstentions.
Bottled Water Companies Ask for Excise Tax Lift
A letter signed by the management of 33 local bottled water companies has been sent to the Ministry of Finance asking for the lifting of excise taxes on bottled water.
Currently around a 20 percent of excise tax is levied on packed waters. The basis for excise tax computation is the total cost of the product for items manufactured locally and CFI value in case of imported goods.
