The grand production inauguration ceremony of the Hawassa Industrial Park in Ethiopia that has attracted 18 leading global apparel and textile companies was held on 20th June at the Industrial Park with the participation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, senior Ministers of the government, Ambassadors, senior government officials and the company owners etc.

Product operation of the two Sri Lankan companies namely Isebella Socks Manufacturing PLC and Hirdaramani Garments PLC was commenced in the presence of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, Minister in-charge of Industrial Parks Development in Ethiopia, Sumith Dassanayake, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Ethiopia, Hemantha Perera, Managing Director of Isebella Socks Manufacturing PLCand Vinod Hirdaramani, Director Hirdaramani Group of Companies.

The Hawassa Industrial park in Ethiopia is a blueprint of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone in Sri Lanka and it has the capacity to create 60,000 employment opportunities. At present, approximately 120 Sri Lankans are working in the Hawassa Industrial Park.