ABIDJAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire is determined to accelerate industrial zone development, Ivorian Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts Ibrahim Kalil Konate said on Thursday.
Industrial infrastructure development is considered a key driver of the country's economic transformation, Konate said during a visit to the headquarters of the Industrial Infrastructure Management and Development Company.
"The objective we are pursuing is to significantly increase the contribution of the industrial sector to national wealth within the framework of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan," he said, adding the share of industry in GDP is expected to rise from 22.7 percent to 30 percent.
Achieving the objective will require substantial investment, and the country has major advantages to attract investors, including energy availability, industrial land and economic reforms undertaken in recent years.
For years, Cote d'Ivoire has prioritized the implementation of major structural projects. Ongoing initiatives include the creation of an industrial city in Abidjan, the development of an industrial zone in San Pedro, and other projects in the cities of Bouake and Abengourou. ■
