Diaspora Forum

Newsletter 10

Will Expressed in Action

When the young man from Addis left for the U.S. at the end of 1992, it was in anticipation of the wonders of the first world. Now, after nine years in the U.S., he came back home to be one of the successful members of the Diaspora, engaged in the leather and footwear sector. " If there is a will there is a way" says Chairperson of Ethio-Leather International company and owner of Gamb Shoe Trading and Industry, Paulos Endashaw. Sitting in his office on the third floor where his display room is located, Paulos said,  "the future is bright for Ethiopia."

Paulos Endashaw was born in 1966 in Addis Ababa. He completed his high school at the Medhane Alem Senior Secondary School. He then secured a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the South Seattle College and moved to Washington University.

Before his return to Ethiopia in 2002, he has worked as a purchaser and run his own transportation company. Paulos, an energetic and far-sighted businessman was humble in welcoming this interview with MoFA Newsletter. Following is an excerpt.

NL- When did you leave Ethiopia?  

Paulos- I left for the U.S. at the end of 1992 looking for better education and economic opportunities. It is true the U.S. is a land of opportunities. But, it is demanding to depart from your own land and live somewhere you don't know. Things were first a little bit difficult.  In course of time I was able to go to school and started working.

 NL- When and how did you decide to come and work in your country? 

 Paulos- I have been in the U.S. nearly for ten years. For me it was too long. I had the intention to contribute my share to the development of my country. As we all know, it is not always   possible to do that. You may plan but fail somehow to do so. When I first decided to come to Ethiopia, some of my colleagues said, "You must be crazy". Of course, I knew that there might be challenges in the battle to change the face of the country. My response was crystal clear. Even if there are problems, shouting on the government will not suffice. We have to join hands in solving them. Therefore, I decided to come back even if that means taking risks of losing my job or may be my family there, and the relatively comfortable life I used to lead in the U.S.

When I arrived here after my stay in the U.S, the government has provided us with a plot of land for housing to add up to other privileges we enjoyed. I raised a relatively small initial capital and started a family business. I believed I could use the untapped resources and cheap labour in the leather industry.

The business, which we first started as shoe repair and wholesale trade, transformed itself in to a small company.  

When I was in the U.S., I was making money but I know that it is not my country. And I am happy now that we are trying to establish a national brand, Gamb.

NL-What would you tell us about Gamb Trade and Industry? What was your starting capital? 

Paulos- The starting capital was four million birr shared between my father and my self. We first established this company as a sub-contractor for other local retail shops. We have now built a three-storey building including display rooms. Indeed, we have drawn lessons from some countries such as China to boost marketing skills and fill the missing link in the production of quality shoes. In doing so we approved 700 local shoe factories in and around Merkato and formed Ethio-Leather International, which has 100 retailing shops. This association has enabled us to improve the quality of our products. 

NL- How do you appreciate the general investment opportunity in foot wear and leather industry in particular? 

Paulos- Ethiopia's investment potential has a lot to offer. I believe in almost all sectors opportunities are not fully utilized. Be it agriculture, manufacturing, mining or what have you. We have to go a long way to exploiting it. The determination on the part of the government to facilitate the engagement of the private sector is encouraging particularly in the sector.  

There is cheap labour, livestock resource and above all sustainable market. Hence, I could say that the business is rewarding. I am, for example, better off than what I have been while overseas.

NL-How do you describe the government's support to those involved in the sector? 

Paulos- As we all know, in order to penetrate the international market, you have to improve the quality of your products. The government is providing capacity building training through UNIDO. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has also provided us six office blocks each close to 450 square meters in Arada sub-city. The recent discussion between entrepreneurs engaged in leather and foot wear industry and Prime Minister Melese Zenawi is an indication of governments' commitment to work with the private sector. 

NL- What do you think is the prospect in the future?    

Paulos- As far as the future is concerned it is bright for the manufacturers in the sector.  We are even planning to involve the Diaspora in the US work in partnership opening retailing shops so as to sell our products. They can be ambassadors of their country, in this regard. Besides, the famous Ethiopian athletes can be instrumental in advertising " made in Ethiopia" products. It is time for us to stand up and work to change the face of Ethiopia.    

NL- Could you tell us some bureaucratic bottlenecks you encountered? 

Paulos- The major problem relates to securing financial resources. At present, I think this has been addressed.  The bureaucratic red tape is   no more a problem.