Experts call to strengthen Africa's aviation industry
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E-mail Xinhua, June 28, 2017
Experts on Tuesday called for strengthening Africa's aviation industry so as to foster all-rounded development endeavors in the African continent.
Speaking at the second International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting on air cargo development in Africa that was opened in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, various experts including ICAO president Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu and group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde Gebremariam called for strengthening Africa's aviation industry to foster the continent's development.
"No continent, no country can develop without civil aviation," Aliu told meeting participants comprised of policymakers, air transport regulators, and representatives from the global aviation industry.
After announcing ICAO's ambition to assist the development of aviation in the African continent, Aliu indicated that strategic activities need to be done in Africa on various issues, with due emphasis given to aviation safety.
Aliu further lauded the Ethiopian Aviation Academy as a center of excellence for crafting the future of Africa's aviation industry through trainings.
Gebremariam, who reiterated the aviation sector's role for public transport service in Africa, indicated that air cargo is the most important factor for the socio-economic development of Africa than any other part of the world, where infrastructures for other modes of transport are underdeveloped.
He also indicated that for African countries, possessing an economy largely dominated by agricultural and horticultural products export, air cargo is an ideal option.
Gebremariam also urged all stakeholders to join hands and save Africa's air transport industry sector, saying that "the industry in Africa is dying. All of us have to join hands to save the industry from its natural death."
The Second ICAO meeting, from June 27 to 29, is being held under the theme "Action for the Sustainable Development of Air Cargo in Africa."
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