Establishing production and sea freight export of consumer ready potted plants and decorative fruits in Debre Zeyit Note: This project has not been successful, due to the difficult local market circumstances.In Belgium and the Netherlands, the number of companies producing potted ornamental plants is steadily decreasing over the years, due to low margins caused by high energy prices and high labour costs. At the same time, despite the current economic crisis, the market for potted plants is still growing in Belgium and through the auctions in the Netherlands in the rest of Europe. Ethiopia offers good conditions in terms of temperature, rainfall, seasoning, labour costs and energy costs to produce potted plants. The relatively high air freight costs from Ethiopia are a disadvantage to start production of export products as well as environmental concerns. Recently, a shipping line started a direct container line from Djibouti to West Europe, enabling producers to reach the market in two weeks. This creates an opportunity to start production of full grown, consumer ready potted ornamental plants for indoor use in Ethiopia. Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will produce consumer ready succulent plants, indoor plants and evergreen plants in pots and decorative fruit and export it by sea freight to Belgium. The production facility will be MPS-GAP certified. Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will give a positive example for the horticultural sector in Ethiopia by showing that transport by sea freight is possible.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Both, the applicant and local partner are very much engaged in social entrepreneurship and will therefore very seriously implement the CSR principles in Beti Ornamental Plants Plc. Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will acquire MPS-GAP certification. The reason to work with sea freight and within that with PRS technology is also out of environmental concern. The use of EM peat is another example of their environmental concern. Staff hiring will be non-discriminatory and unethical business behaviour will not be tolerated. Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will take care of good working conditions.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsBeti will employ 78 staff on a full-time basis, of which 4 on high- and medium-level. This will increase to 99 people two years after PSI. The project partners see committed and satisfied staff as an important asset to the companies' future development. This approach will be reflected in the salary level and the working conditions. Beti will pay at least 10% higher than the minimum wages, but in the start it is even 50% higher (32 euro). Health benefits will be taken care of by Beti Ornamental Plants Plc. Free lunch and working cloths are part of the working conditions.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeAs Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will be the first company to produce full grown ornamental potted plants and use sea shipment, all aspects of production, handling and shipment logistics are new for the country.•	Chain effectsBeti Ornamental Plants Plc will generate chain effects by ordering metal structures for shade nets locally, as well as the natural peat. For the overall development of the export-oriented horticultural sector in Ethiopia, it is important that new modes of transport and logistics are developed. It requires substantial export volumes to sustain and develop sea freight services. The project will make a positive contribution to this aspect.•	EnvironmentCSR with respect to the environment is at the foundation of Beti Ornamental Plants Plc. Exporting of plants over sea was initiated with the idea to reduce the carbon foot print of producing potted plants. Using PRS containers will reduce it even more. Production and export over sea of the potted plant requires less energy than production in Belgium. Another positive aspect for the environment is the use of natural compost made out of coffee waste and sugar cane waste instead of using 100% geared peat. Beti Ornamental Plants Plc will produce according to MPS-GAP principles, ensuring that production lives up to the latest environmental standards. It will implement an environmental impact assessment at the start. Water used to irrigate the pots will be re-used to water the plants yielding the decorative fruits.•	Position of womenIt is expected that 41 employees will be women, of which one accountant, 4 logistic staff and 36 general workers. Setting up a production facility with an annual capacity of three million consumer-ready potted plants and decorative fruit and improve margins and decrease environmental impact by establishing sea freight export of these products.