“The main objective of the centers is to turn research papers conducted by universities into prototype products and create joint venture investment arrangement between universities and private sector, for mass production. We will have R&D centers wherever there are manufacturing industries, which will serve as simulators for real production,” said Paulos Berga, advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of industry.
The R&D centers and the new institute will operate independent from government budget and subsidies, generating revenues from testing prototype designs for industries, lab services, consulting and engaging international and regional research bids. The newly formed institution absorbed six existing institutes including the Metal Industries Development Institute, the Textile Industry Development Institute, the Leather Industry Development Institute, the Chemical and Construction Inputs Industry Development Institute and the Meat and Dairy institute.
“The existing institutes could not solve problems in the manufacturing industries. First, the directors are political appointees. Secondly, they could not turn research papers shelved in universities to reconfigure industrial productivity,” added Paulos.
Nonetheless, officials of the old institutes are currently in a limbo as some of their mandates are given to ministers other than the ministry of industry.
The establishment proclamation for the Manufacturing Industries Development Institute is expected to be ratified by the council of Ministers in two months.
