The Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA) held an inception workshop on 27th of February, 2023 to conduct a research-based consultancy service on the project titled ‘Construction Industry, Employment and Ethiopian Economy (CEE)’.
The main objective of the project is to measure the contributions of the Ethiopian Construction Industry (ECI) to the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating job opportunities in the country. The purpose of the project also includes assessment of the backward and forward linkages between ECI and other sectors, design and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and evaluate the policy, plans, strategies and proclamation of the ECI. Furthermore, the project aimed to identify key stakeholders that may have direct or indirect roles in creation of Sustainable, Productive, Equitable, and Decent and Developmental (SPEDD) jobs within the industry; assess the current labor market, and produce baseline information for possible interventions. Assessing the competitive capacity of local firms and proposing policy options that can enhance the competitive edge of local firms in the face of opening the economy to external competition is also one of the key millstones of the project. As deliverable, the EEA will develop key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that ensure monitoring the implementation of SPEDD industry jobs.
Eng. Tamrat Mulu, CMI’s General Director, has made a welcome speech. In his speech, Eng. Tamrat had thanked the EEA for accepting the CMI’s request in partnership and collaboration. Eng. Tamrat has also emphasized the significance of the project in generating empirical evidence and informing construction industrial policy directions.
Prof Mengistu Ketema, the CEO of the EEA, on his side has appreciated the CMI and the management members for inviting the EEA to carry out such crucial research-based consultancy service. Prof Mengistu has promised to keep the quality of the task and deliver the project milestones outputs within the agreed timeline. The two parties have agreed to sign the memorandum of understanding to strengthen their partnership and collaboration.
Following the opening remark, the technical proposal of the research project was presented by the EEA researchers, Dr. Adem Feto and Dr. Lamessa Tariku. Following the presentation, the workshop participants have appreciated the effort made by the EEA. The participants have also forwarded constructive feedback, raised questions and clarifications on the technical proposals, data collection tools and ways forward. Dr. Degye Goshu, Research and Policy Analysis (RPA) director of the EEA has moderated the workshop. Dr Gegye and the EEA research team have also reflected on the issues raised during the workshop.
