Because of the diverse agro-ecological zones and fertile soils existing in the country, the possibility of growing any cereals, oil seeds, vegetables, fruit, flowers, cotton and so on is wide and there is no problem finding a market for these products, both now and in the foreseeable future. Possessing the largest cattle population in Africa and enormous ranching areas, Ethiopia is one of the most attractive countries in the world for commercial beef and dairy farms. Ethiopia's vast natural resources, favorable climatic conditions and strategic geographic location mean that export prospects for manufactured goods are very attractive. Its products, under the terms of the LOME Convention and GSP, are entitled to duty reductions or exemption, and are free from all quota restrictions in the European Union, USA, Canada and Japan markets, to mention just a few. Major potential areas of manufacturing investment are food and beverages, textile and garment industries, leather industries, chemical and chemical product industries, mineral resource based industries, paper and paper products, electrical and electronic products.
Opportunities are also available in public industries that are about to be privatized.
Ethiopia is also endowed with a wide range of mineral resources awaiting potential investors. Feasibility studies of specific mining projects are available for both domestic and foreign investors. The most significant ones are Dallol Potash Development, Soda Ash Industrial Plant, Diatomite Evaluation and Development Project, Delbi-Moye Coal and Oilshale Project, Yubdo Platinum Evaluation Development, Bikilal Igneous Phosphate project and the Calub Gas Share Company. Both domestic and foreign investors are now encouraged to be involved in power generation. Taking into account the power-hungry neighbouring countries and the ever increasing domestic energy consumption, investing in this sector is an opportunity well worth considering.