Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

INAUGURATING TEXTILE MILL AT MOJO

We are happy to witness, from one day to the next, the realization of our fervent wish that new industries be established in Ethiopia. As education is the gate which opens the way to development and progress, so is industrialization one of the principal paths to be followed to the achievement of these goals.

The improvement and expansion of agriculture and cattle-breeding which have been accomplished with the assistance of modern education should not be underestimated. These fields comprise the basis of Our people's livelihood, and advances in these have been badly needed and hard-won.

Education is also essential to industrial growth. So too, is co-operation with friendly nations vital, and we are gratified at the number of joint endeavours being undertaken in various areas of industry.

This nylon factory, the third project inaugurated by Us in recent weeks in which Japanese capital and skills have been enlisted, is further testimony to the ever-strengthening relations which exist between Ethiopia and the friendly nation of Japan. Each new project is welcomed as a further step taking Us closer to Our goal.

It is Our desire that Ethiopia become self-sufficient both quantitatively and qualitatively, in meeting her textile needs. We are confident that Our efforts will in the not too distant future bring this wish to fulfilment.

We are also encouraged that increasing numbers of Ethiopians are actively participating in this and other industrial projects. As Ethiopian skills and know-how increase, as Ethiopian abilities are more fully developed, Our people will attain a greater and more complete mastery of the intricacies of modern technical and administrative techniques and methods.

We wish this enterprise a successful and prosperous life.

December 24, 1966.

Electronic edition created and published online by members of the
Emperor Haile Sellassie First Theocracy Reign
Order of the Nyahbinghi

June 28, 2017