An updated Exporters’ Guide to replace the previous edition which came out a decade ago was presented to stakeholders on Friday, June 11, 2010 at Hilton Hotel during a meeting of the Ethiopia Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA).

ECCSA paid ITAB Consult Plc 150,000 Br to prepare the 155 page guide, which is expected to be published within two months, in Amharic and English. The guide aims to provide a comprehensive and practical reference on regulations and procedures.

The need to prepare a new guide arose as many regulations, policies, procedures, and agreements have been issued since the publication of the previous edition, according to Gashaw Debebe, secretary general of the ECCSA. An opinion survey was conducted to identify the needs of exporters and assess their knowledge of policies and procedures of business before the preparation of the new guide.

The guide includes information about all exportable items in Ethiopia with an emphasis on manufactured or processed products. Actions that need to be taken at various stages of decision, production, and export; their impact on the quality of the final product; and their export value has also been included.

“The guide provides all the necessary support and information to existing and new exporters,” Gashaw said.

The guide outlines necessary steps to be taken and outlines rules and regulations of specific countries where export items are sent to. It also includes information on how exporters can take advantage of incentives, preferential tariff schemes available under different preferential trade agreements, and the future membership of Ethiopia in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

It also has information about export incentives and preferential tariff schemes available under different preferential trade agreements and from WTO membership.