(APA) – Ethiopia is expected to export tens of thousands of kilos of honey and honey products to the European Union countries and this is expected to generate a huge amount of foreign currency to the country, Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry, Tadesse Haile, said on Friday.

According to the ministry, Ethiopia managed to get certified after a year-long effort by the government and the Netherlands Development Programme.

Ethiopian State Minster of Trade and Industry, Tadesse Haile, said that investors who have been waiting to export their products can now start to export honey and honey products to the EU market.

“Investors can send the produces legally to the European continent,” Haile said.

The State Minister thanked the Netherlands Development Programme for its significant cooperation in getting the country certified to export the produces to Europe.

Accordingly, Ethiopia is expected to export tens of thousands of kilos of honey and honey products to the EU market.

Minister Haile said the government has given due attention to the sector by distributing modern hives in addition to organising them under associations.

“It is also ready to encourage investors, exporters, producers, raw material suppliers and processors create network,” he added.

SNV Ethiopia Director with the Netherlands Development Programme, Rem Neefjies, said on his part the government of Ethiopia has exerted utmost efforts to open the door to Europe and succeeded in reaping the fruits.

SNV Netherlands NGO is working in Ethiopia to support farmers in various fields, including honey products.

Ethiopia is known for its honey product. However, it is still unable to benefit from the sector, which involves tens of thousands farmers in the country.