Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I
SHEET METAL PLANT
It gives Us satisfaction to inaugurate this new factory which is one of the industries established to serve the economy of Our Empire. We have already devoted much care and attention to economic development, in order to increase the prosperity of Our people and to raise their standard of living. Ethiopia has been blessed by Almighty God with an abundance of natural resources and vast possibilities for economic production. Energy, initiative and hard work are needed to exploit these resources and to turn the possibilities into realities. Social progress goes hand-in-hand with agricultural and industrial expansion. The roofing produced by this factory is a basic and necessary material for economic and social development in town and country alike. We are gratified that it is now made in the country, and all the material used for the manufacture of the roofing will, we hope, be mined in Ethiopia in the near future.
It is Our lifelong conviction that all nations must live in peace with each other so that they may co-operate for the common good of mankind. This co-operation must be maintained in all fields of human activity. In the economic field, Our Government has always encouraged businessmen, specialists and capital from abroad to assist in the development of Ethiopia, by granting the protection required to start economic enterprises and industries which will be useful to the people, and by creating the fiscal and administrative atmosphere conducive to fruitful co-operation between Ethiopians and those who come to Our country to exercise their energy and their initiative and to apply their knowledge and experience.
We are impressed by the achievement of the Japanese people in reaching a most advanced technology and creating a most flourishing economy without losing their ancient virtues nor their traditional personal and social values, which we have witnessed during Our visit to Japan on the gracious invitation extended to Us by His Majesty the Emperor in 1954. Theirs is an example to be meditated and to be followed by other nations who are striving to solve their problems and to build their future in this troubled world. We are pleased to extend Our cordial welcome to the Japanese companies which have invested their capital and their technical experience to co-operate with Ethiopian capital and administrators in this factory, and in other factories in Our capital.
We have pleasure in expressing Our congratulations to all those who have worked to form this company and to erect this factory. We also express Our hearty encouragement to them in their efforts and Our wishes for continued success and development.
October 1, 1966.
Electronic edition created and published online by members of the
Emperor Haile Sellassie First Theocracy Reign
Order of the Nyahbinghi
June 28, 2017