Addis Ababa: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has reaffirmed its commitment to support the realization of Ethiopia's integrated agro-processing industrial parks transformation. Integrated agro-industrial parks have been built in Oromia, Amhara, Sidama and Tigray regions of Ethiopia to produce value added products by linking agriculture with industry. Currently, the parks located in Oromia, Amhara and Sidama regions are operational by bringing a significant contribution in economic transition and reduction of rural poverty. Agribusiness and Infrastructure Director at UNIDO, Tezera Dejene told ENA that the organization is working in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia to increase the productivity of the parks. UNIDO encourages such crucial efforts as the contribution of these parks is huge in terms of creating market opportunities for farmers and enhancing import substitution by adding value to agricultural products, the director affirmed. Stating activities which ha ve been carried out on providing training, technical support and encouraging the private sector to engage in industrial parks, he emphasized that such efforts will be reinforced. The parks will ensure mutual benefit by narrowing the gap of raw material and market demand through linking smallholder farmers with the industry. Working in collaboration is essential as such efforts will be instrumental to making the Integrated agro-industrial parks and to accelerate the transformation in the sector, he pointed out. Africa imports 90 billion USD worth processed products per year due to lack of development in agricultural products, it was indicated. UNIDO will continue supporting Ethiopia's activity in agricultural processing as it has a significant contribution in substituting processed agricultural products. The Integrated Agro-Processing Industrial Parks are developed by the government with the provision of power, water, by-products treatment, cold and dry products services and other necessary infrastructure , it was learned. Source: Ethiopian News Agency