Ethiopia urged to tap rich gum, incense potential

Ethiopia has rich resources of natural gum and incense, which have high market value, but little attention has been given to the development of the resources, a private company engaged in the sector said Saturday.

Mulualem Berhanu, general manager of Guna Trading House, told journalists that it could be possible to produce and export 250, 000 tons of gum and incense annually.

However, he said only 6,000 tons of the stated volume of gum and incense potential is exported abroad due to lack of appropriate attention given to implementation of forestry policy and of proper handling of gum and incense trees.

"I don't think Ethiopia is benefiting from its rich resources as expected due to the stated problems and lack of awareness on the parts of local officials at all levels about the importance of the potential," Mulualem said.

He said an estimated 120,000 tons of gum and incense could be produced annually for 50 years' period, if the necessary attention is given to the development and proper handling of gum and incense trees, thereby helping the nation get adequate foreign currency.

According to Ethiopian Customs Authority, Ethiopia generated close to 5 million U.S. dollars by exporting over 3,700 tons of gum and incense abroad last year, accounting only 5 percent of the estimated 250,000 potential.

Mulualem said his company, which exports not less than 920 tons valued at 1 million dollars annually, has been engaged in tapping and shipping gum and incense since its inception 13 years ago.

He said his company has established its own gum and incense processing center in north Ethiopia's Tigray state, employing 700 persons, who collect and winnow the resources with an intention of improving the quality of the produces.

Source: Xinhua