THE
PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIAL AGENCIES
ITALIAN INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES
Eritrea,
for its own consume necessities, has a largely developed industry. Hence
there is no industrial branch which is not here represented. It is therefore
due to our indefatigable countrymen the very high merit of having realized
that, which in the more substantial part, constitutes the Country's
industrial life.
Eritrea's main italian
industries are indicated as follows.
MASSAWA SALT PLANT
The
society "Saline di Massawa" sprang up far away in 1905. In the last
years it has undergone a radical transformation through the mechanization
of all the installations.
The
actual production is sold inland - Eritrea and Ethiopia - and the remainder,
made up of the production's main part, is exported.
The
principal countries to which the exports are directed are : Japan and
Malaysia. Lately Kenia, Tanganika, Uganda and the Belgian Congo were
added.
A
modern installation for purifying the salt is installed in the plant,
capable of treating up to 1,000 tons daily.
This
salt, particularly pure and dry, is principally directed towards the
Japanese industries.
For
the forwarding of the salt destined to the export the Society avails
itself of an own dock where ships of tonnage up to 13,000/14,000 tons
can moor.
A
complete plant of conveying belts, which allows a loading speed in excess
of 500 tons per hour is installed on this dock.
The
salt directed inland is sacked into bags which are directly manufactured
in a suitable section of the establishment itself.
Inland
forwarding is mainly done by railway, and in the establishment there
is a rational railway link. The average number of the workers is of
280/300 units. During the crop' season they increase to over 400.
Among
the latest accomplishments it needs to be evidenced a complete Chemical
Laboratory for the daily control of both the common and the purified
salt .
Also,
a modern automatic scale for the continuos weighing of the salt on the
main conveyor belt has been installed.
A
further development of the salt-pools surficial extension, with a related
production's increase is scheduled.
S.A.I.D.E. (previously COTONIFICIO BARATTOLO & C) ASMARA
Since last year
the equipment included: a battery group, made up of a bale-breaking
loader, a feeding carpet, an automatic loader, a small cotton opener,
a vertical cotton-opener, a blowing tower with saver, a supplying blower
and spreader, and a filtering battery. To these need be added: 30 "Marzoli"
carding machines, 8 "Marzoli" intersecting gill boxes, 4 "Marzoli" medial
sieving benches, 18 "Marzoli" spinning rings; 1 spun yarn conditioner;
22 "Marzoli" double-whisks; a scaffolding and packing group; a complete
"Radaelli" air-humidifier set in the work-room; a complete 480 HP electrical
power supply of the "S.A.C.I." of Bergamo.
With
the new developments, the necessary machinery will be fully purchased
at the Ditta Marzoli of Palazzolo sull'Oglio. With this expansion, and
keeping into account that which had been previously acquired in Italy,
the total amount for installations and prefabricates amounts to about
one half billion Lire.
Besides,
the Cotonificio annually imports from Italy over 100 million Lire countervalue
of spare parts and hemp flock of the Snia Viscosa and these ciphers
will increase while expanding. It is also foreseen that, with the expansion,
over six or seven families of technicians which will come from Italy
will be employed.
The
"Development Loan Fund" of the USA has granted S.A.I.D.E. a loan of
500,000 U.S.$. for the aforementioned spinning plant. The new spinning
plant will use the hemp produced by the Cotonificio, to which it supplies
the necessary raw cotton. It is foreseen an initial production of grey
sheeting, white drills and white shirting which are the main types sold
in Ethiopia.
S.A.I.D.E.
itself is a producer of cotton in a vast zone located in the neigborhood
of Mersa Gulbub, 110 km from Massawa. The land exploitation started
in 1958 through the soil management, with the construction of a reservoir
of a capacity of four million cubic meters of water, with deviation
works of a river (the Moga) for the irrigation of the caissons, with
a boring installation which will reach a depth of 150 metres. Mersa
Gulbub plantations were visited by H.I.M. the Emperor in January 1960.
DITTA F.LLI DE
NADAI
- ASMARA
A huge firm for financial potentiality, organizing
capability, vastness of commercial and industrial activities. It has
a capital of Eth. $. 2,000,000 and a annual business transaction of
Eth. $. 30,000,000. The Ditta De Nadai, to which we referred elsewhere,
particularly concerns itself with the export of vegetable products.
It has branches and agencies, insofar as it concerns Africa and the
Middle East, in Jeddah, Port Sudan, Khartoum, Asmara, Addis Ababa and
Aden. Its seat in Italy is in Udine, wherefrom the De Nadai have origin.
The organization and the development of the vegetable
production in Eritrea on the post-war, is greatly due to the De Nadai.
As a matter of fact it conceded to the farmers large funds, committing
itself, with long-term contracts, to purchase the entire crops. This
economical principle has given it own results, even superior to those
hoped for. This can be ascertained also looking at the statistics which
go from 1952 onward. When the firm began its activity, toward the end
of 1952, the export amounted to 150-200 quintals monthly, in 1953 it
jumped to 300-500 quintals monthly, the following year this amount was
tripled and nowadays it has reached 7,000 quintals monthly. It is however
destined to sustain a marked increase, as this clever organization can
meet the exigencies of the consumers and is able to cultivate the foreign
markets. Practically, this enterprise assures a regular influx of vegetable
products and at accessible prices, thus sensibly augmenting the requests
from all the foreign markets.
Availing itself of a modern and imposing technical
organization, the Firm is not forced to rely upon other organizations.
It deals directly with the farmers, it works the goods within its own
packings; it owns very modern freezers for the conservation of the goods
for the consume markets, has an own sea-shipping agency and lastly,
for the maximum part, it sells directly on the markets which it reaches
with four freezer-ships with ethiopian flag, two of which of their own
property: the "Giuseppina" of 600 tons and the "Donatella" of 400 tons
- while the other two, one dutch and one german, are on a annual rent
basis.
One of the more important economical aspects of this
activity is constituted by the fact that, in the vegetables' sector,
Eritrea exports four times more than it imports and this with evident
benefits for the Country. Another important aspect is the remarkable
increase given to the vegetables' production due to which thousands
of persons, even if indirectly, benefit from this activity. The Fratelli
De Nadai, for their qualities of clever industrials, for their dynamism,
for the passion which animates their hard and obstinate work, for the
commercial honesty, for the example of accomplishing and factive laboriousness
are at the foremost of all the meritorious class of italian industrials
in Eritrea.
It is due to the F.lli De Nadai labour - represented
in Eritrea by the firm's major exponent, Mr. Guido De Nadai - the constitution
of two other important societies, sprung up during this last year, with
the collaboration of our countrymen: the S.A. F.lli Casciani, to which
we already referred speaking of the society itself and of which we shall
speak again concerning the activity of this firm in the industrial field
(factory for the tomato concentrate); and the C.A.S.A. (Commercio Alimentari
Societa' Anonima) which gathers the commercial activities of a well
known italian exporter, Mr. Athos Cappelli, with those represented by
the Ditta F.lli De Nadai, insofar as it concerns the organizing of the
distribution of any alimentary product into the Ethiopian Empire and
outside of the territory's borders.
CONCENTRATE'S FACTORY
Due
- as it has been mentioned - to the countrymen Casciani and De Nadai,
the plant for the industrial exploiting of the tomato production cultivated
in the establishment of Elaberet is fully automated.
After
the washing, the product is treated from the first machine which is
a mincing machine, then the pulp, seeds and skin, go through a steam
chamber which has the task of heating the product to a temperature of
60/70o. The successive sifter divides the slag and the seed
from the pulp, which, alone, proceeds toward a refining machine and
a super-refining machine. Thence, through steel pipings, the pulp reaches
some large stainless steel chambers, where, through three spherical
heaters it undergoes the pre-concentration and the concentration. The
product remains for two hours in these chambers wherefrom it then exits,
to be collected in stainless steel containers - the double concentrate.
At
this stage the processing of the product is over. It only remains now
to put it in the automatic seam folding machines, where the cans are
filled and hermetically sealed. The two canning groups, one double and
one single, can each give from 30 to 40 sealed cans per minute, with
an average hourly cumulative production of about 5,000 cans of different
weight. As a matter of fact, in the factory cans of 100, 200, 500 and
1,000 grams are produced.
The
cans are successively put into sterilizing tanks, and afterward pass
to the packing warehouses.
A
little way below the concentrate's factory, a large circular tank has
been built, which has the function to serve as a gathering tank for
the water used in the establishment and again convoy it, through additional
pipes, to the nearby grounds. Another pipe, directly connected to the
main pipe, is set at the tank's centre; while from the aesthetical viewpoint
it creates a rushing water spouting, which falls back fan-like into
the pool, from the practical point of view it has the precise task of
stabilizing the high pressure in the pipe-work, and hence do diminish
the attrition within.
INDUSTRIA
CERAMICA ING. CARLO TABACCHI - ASMARA
Via Gaetano Giardino
In
1955 the Industria Ceramica Tabacchi, whose development is essentially
due to the capability and activity of its nominee, Eng. Carlo Tabacchi,
has thoroughly renewed its installations and its plant, installing italian
and german machinery, which allows a daily production of 1,000 square
metres of mosaic-tilings almost entirely exported also in Europe.
The
new installation, which required an investment of more than Eth. $.
800,000 (corresponding to 20,000,000 italian Lira) and a six months
period for the installation, includes machinery for all the working
cycles: crushers, grinders, drum-mills, deferrization (? - da diz. tecnico
Hoeply - inesistente su dizionari inglesi) sets, dryers, presses, etc.,
and an oven 50 metres long. For the production of its own decorated
mosaic-tilings, the plant exploits four patents of Eng. Tabacchi himself.
Besides,
the plant has its own quarries of kaolin, feldspathoids, quartz, etc.,
and produces 60% of the dyestuff necessary for its own work, importing
the remainder from Italy or from Germany.
The
Ceramica Tabacchi produces also refractory bricks for local consume.
Besides
Eritrea and Ethiopia, many are the markets to which the product goes:
Sudan, Kenia, Uganda, Tanganika, North and South Rhodesia, Belgian Congo,
Aden, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, England, Mexico, United
States. Not even the italian market is excluded, although our Country
is the major producer of mosaic-tilings.
The
capital employed by the firm amounts to about Eth. $. 2,000,000. The
annual business volume is of about Eth. $. 1,500,000. The plant's monthly
productive capability is of about 27,000 square metres of mosaics and
of 15,000 refractories. The raw materials making up the installations
for the mosaics' production are all of Eritrean provenance. The establishment
employs 15 italian workers and 400 eritrean workers. It is the continuous
goal of illustrious visitors, who express the Country' satisfaction
for the magnificent realizations effectuated by the Establishment. The
Chief of the Government of Eritrea, HE Asfaha Woldemikael, expressed
his admiration to Eng. Tabacchi with these words: "Not only I am happy,
but also proud that an industry of this kind exists in Eritrea. We must
thank the Lord for having here people of your stand who do good to our
Country. I therefore wish you the best success."
S.A.
INDUSTRIALE DE ROSSI FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF THE DUM PALM - COMMERCIAL
SEAT IN ASMARA - PLANTS IN KEREN AND AGORDAT.
It
was constituted in 1912 for the exploitation of the dum palm in Eritrea.
It has a social capital of Eth. $. 58,340. The employed capital is of
about Eth. $. 1,000,000. It employs 6 italian workers and from 300 to
2,000 eritrean workers.
From
the initial commercial activity of a simple gathering of the ripe fruits,
the Society has always directed itself toward a greater intensification
in order to reach an integral industrial exploitation of the whole fruit,
in its three constituent parts (outer shell, rind and nut) as well as
the utilization of its residuals and by-products. The monthly production,
which is of about 12,000-15,000 large grosses or bulks of 1,800 pieces
each, is absorbed for the 80% by the button manufacturers of the U.K.
and the remaining 20% by other markets.
Keren's
plant is erected on a property land area of 111,000 square metres, in
the industrial zone, with railway link and dwellings for workers and
clerks. It has an own electrical power plant, with a 250 HP diesel Man
engine, a 120 HP Tosi engine and two DEUTZ engines respectively of 75
and 30 HP, besides a 250 HP steam engine and driver. It has all the
industrial equipment to work the button, from the raw material to the
finished packed product; saw mill, marking, crimping, drilling, polishing,
selection, packing, transportation, capable of exceeding the limits
above mentioned. Besides, it has all the equipment necessary to the
functional maintenance of an establishment of such size and distant
from supplying centres: joinery, mechanical workshops, foundries, precision
tools, etc.
Agordat's
establishment is erected on a property area of 41,000 square metres
in the industrial zone and it includes, besides the plant itself, dwellings
for workers and clerks' use. In the plants proximity also a railway
link is installed.
Its
industrial complex comprises a mechanized sawing mill capable of producing
over 2,000 q of sawn material monthly; as well as a plant for grinding
the dum nut processing's residuals employed for the extraction of oil
for soap, with a monthly production of 3,500 q. It has its own electrical
power plant made up of two steam engines for a total of 260 HP and a
110 HP diesel engine.
Due
to new agreements undertaken by the society, it is held that the Plant's
development will grow in the next year, having the product found selling
possibilities in various other markets and above all in the italian
market.
DUM COMPANY LIMITED
(DUMCO) - Viale Ras Alula 49 Asmara
It
is part, as we have already mentioned, of the Enterprises which carry
out a type of activity related to agriculture. We do hereby give some
data on the entity of the Society, whose sole administrator is the countryman
Tullio Camerino. This Society, born in 1951, deserves mention as an
example of will and firmness of an enterprise which, in the past, many
have attempted and abandoned: that of the exploiting of the leaf of
the Dum palm for the production of textile fibers.
Attempts
to exploit this leaf - which flourishes spontaneously in Eritrea, Somalia
and Sudan - were done, since this century's first years and repeated
every once in a while until 1950, but then abandoned by all for the
absolute impossibility, met with until thence, to obtain a profitable
economical production. The D.U.M.C.O. at once dedicated its own attention
to the construction of stripping machinery which could adapt to the
particular nature and shape of the Dum leaves and continued its own
studies in this direction, notwithstanding the decidedly negative opinion
of many specialized firms, among which a subsidiary society of KRUPP.
To
day, after years of experimentation, modifications and improvements
which are still being carried out, the D.U.M.C.O. has a complete installation
of machines for the stripping, washing, bleaching, cleaning and packing
of the fibre which allows it a monthly production of 800 q, until now
absorbed by the sack factories of Addis Ababa.
The
results attained by the D.U.M.C.O. allow Ethiopia a large saving of
currency for the import of textile fibers for its own sack factories.
Besides, differently from the other local productions, the D.U.M.C.O.
has a price inferior to that of the imported fibres.
Given
the particular characteristics of its work, the D.U.M.C.O. employs almost
exclusively eritrean workmanship - from 300 to 400 workers - and two
italian technicians.
For
the mentioned exploitation of the textile fibers produced by the D.U.M.C.O.,
a new society named "Manifattura Sacchi Asmara" has been recently formed
whose task will be the transformation of the fibres into the finished
product, namely packing canvases, sacking items, etc.
This
new society will have a capital of Eth. $. 1,250,000 and, separately,
will avail itself of a financing already obtained by the "Development
Bank" of Addis Ababa, of Eth. $. 800,000.
With
the new installations the Society will face the needs of packaging sacks
of Eritrea and it will be in a condition to vie with the need of all
the other parts of the Ethiopian Empire.
BEVERAGES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES
MELOTTI BREWERY - DISTILLERY AND GLASS FACTORY
Melotti
establishments sprang up in 1939 due to the initiative and the unusual
cleverness and tenacity gifts of the late Eng. Luigi Melotti who, of
the imposing industrial establishment, has been the creator.
The
plants' surface is of 100,000 square metres, 25,000 of which covered
by modern and functional buildings.
The
industrial activity includes: the distillery, the liquor factory, the
brewery, the glass factory.
DISTILLERY:
the distillery is composed of a very modern installation for the production
of alcohol from musts of dense wines, as this activity was installed for
the industrial exploitation of the fruit of the dum palm. As a matter
of fact, in Eritrea, and more exactly along the land strips siding the
Barca and Gash rivers, in the western lowlands, imposing wood formations
of dum palms exist, whose fruit (dum nuts) can only be employed for industrial
uses, allowing the manufacture of buttons, with the nuts' internal part,
and the transformation of the external part - or rind - into flour (a
flour with a good sugar contents and hence suitable for the production
of wines intended for distillation). The distillery installation has a
daily producing capability of 24 hectolitres of denatured alcohol exceeding
96o.
LIQUORS
FACTORY:
the liquors' production has been, in the main, directed toward those
qualities which find easy sale with the ethiopian consumer, and the
Melotti Liquor Factory markets several kinds of liquors particularly
appreciated by the clientele.
The
productive capability is of about 50,000 bottles monthly. The liquors
most requested are: Anise - Cognac - Fernet - Gin - Zibib.
BREWERY
Born
during the war period in order to satisfy contingent necessities, under
the impulse of the Eng. Luigi Melotti, initially, and of the widow Mrs.
Emma Santini Melotti, later, the beer industry has constantly directed
its own efforts to satisfy the market's exigency, both concerning the
product's quality as well as the price. This program forces her to update
continuously her installations. The product is appreciated in all the
country and even abroad where only currency difficulties limit her already
flourishing export course. The annual productive capability is of about
500,000 hectolitres of beer. The necessary raw material for producing
the beer is for 90% of local production, as the Melotti Establishments
avail themselves of a malting installation where exclusively ethiopian
barley is employed. Concluding, the Melotti Industry is flourishing
and the proprietors' work is constantly tended to continually increase
the firms activity.
In
the Melotti Establishments 18 italians and 170 ethiopians are employed.
SAVA
GLASS FACTORY
The
glass factory started, in a vaster way, its own production in the month
of January 1960 with the new installations which, emplaced in 1959,
will allow a production which extends from the 90 gr bottle to the 1000
gr bottle and to a vast range of glasses, which will meet a favorable
and satisfying setting in all the local markets.
Works
for a very modern installation for decorations are also under way, which
will enter the production phase the next month of September: with the
mentioned installation the most disparate sayings and multicolored decorations
will be printable on the glass products. The factory complex avails
itself of its own electrical power supply where several electrical assemblies
for a total of about 1,200 HP are installed. The said power supply is
indispensable for the firm's production, as even the least interruption
of the electrical energy would jeopardise the good course of the production.
HE
the representative of H.I.M. the Emperor visited, on March 19, 1960,
the plant, taking a keen interest to the activity of the praiseworthy
Ditta Melotti.
SOC. AN FENILI -
ASMARA -
Via Carlo Pisacane
4-6
Born
in Eritrea in 1936, the society produces wines and liquors, with a range
of numerous types which have met a wide success in Eritrea and in Ethiopia.
The social capital is of Eth. $. 300,000; the business' yearly volume
is of about Eth. $. 360,000. The principal raw materials are imported
from Italy, especially concerning those necessary to prepare beverages
of italian type.
Due
to the achieved importance, the Ditta Fenili has purchased the real
estate property of the S.A. Michelin Italiana, at n. 11, Menelik II
St. (ex Oriani St.), where the two sections which headed the firm have
been grouped; that of manufacturing and selling, formerly in Pisacane
St.; and that of production, that is of fermentation of the grapes and
of the musts with the successive processing and the liquor plant, previously
installed in Randaccio St.
The
expense for the new installation amounted to about Eth. $. 15,000.
PRODOTTI
VITALE S.A. - ASMARA
The
firm was born in 1941 in order to face the local exigencies caused by
the war period, so as to supply autarkic wine on the local market. (In
that period eritrean fruits were utilized). Successively raisin was
introduced in Eritrea from Yemen, which allowed to perfect and improve
the wine's production.
When
it became possible to reconnect the commercial relations with Italy
(1948), Mr. Vitale imported the italian concentrated musts, so as to
try to produce the italian wine in Eritrea.
The
factory actually manufactures on a large scale the "Cognac Vitale" and
various aperitifs which are well appraised in Eritrea, Ethiopia and
Djibouti.
The
Society has own buildings in Asmara. Recently it opened a liquors' factory
also in Addis Ababa.
It
gives work to 6 national dependents and 13 eritrean workers.
The
firm is representative also of many italian firms, for various products
which find a setting in Eritrea.
I.V.A.
S.A. (INDUSTRIA VINI ASMARA)
It
supplies wines, liquors and syrups, with a monthly production of 30
hectolitres of wine, 25-30 hectolitres of various liquors and 10-12
hectoliters of syrups.
The
products, obtained from raisin from Yemen and from italian concentrated
musts, is absorbed by the local market (Eritrea and Ethiopia). It employs
4 national workers and 15 eritrean workers.
The
annual business volume is of about Eth. $.300,000-320,000.
L.E.A.
(LIQUORIFICIO EMILIANO ASMARA)
61-65
King Sahle Selassie St. - Asmara
Property
of the countryman Giovanni Rusin the firm was founded in 1936.
It
produces various aperitifs, Cognac, Gin, Rum and an assortment of 40
types of liquors. Supplied with an equipment which could develop a production
volume of 150,000 bottles yearly, the Firm produces an average of 50,000
bottles, for an annual business value of about Eth. $. 180,000.
The
products are sold exclusively in the Ethiopian Empire through Agencies,
Representatives and Brokers in the territory's principal centres.
SOC.
AN. STABILIMENTI AFRICANI BEVANDE E AFFINI (S.A.B.A.) and
U.V.A.M.S.
(UFFICIO VENDITE ACQUE MINERALI SORGIVE).
With
social seat in Torino, the society sprang up in 1936; it avails itself
of an establishment in Asmara for bottling the spring waters of the
Citone and Eletta Mareb, both situated at the springs of the Mareb River,
at about 30 km from Asmara. In this establishment, besides the bottling
of mineral springs' waters, also various soft-drinks (like orangeades,
lemonades, gassosa, orengo, china cola, garda soda, colarom etc.) are
produced, whose processing is done with fruits' pastes and choice syrups.
Through
a new and modern installation, equipped of all the sanitary and hygienic
prerequisites, the bottles go through several washings with lukewarm
water and finally rinsed with flowing water. Then they are sent to the
bottles filling, which is automatic.
Actually
9,000 bottles of water and 2,500 of soft-drinks are bottled and distributed
daily; but the factory's capability, due to the new equipment installed
about six months ago, is of 15,000 bottles of water and 10,000 bottles
of soft-drinks daily.
Being
ascertained the fact that the capacity of the springs is unexhaustible,
the plant, with the available installation, might greatly increase the
production.
The
compound, where 75 workers are employed, avails itself also of the services
of three tanker-trucks and seven vehicles for domicile distribution.
The
Society's business volume is of about 25,000,000 italian Lira. Actually
the society has stipulated an agreement with other two similar Societies
which are managing the springs of Dongollo and Ailet, so as to face
more easily the economical crisis which the Country is undergoing, thus
forming the U.V.A.M.S.
On
August 3rd the Society was visited by HE the Chief of Government of
Eritrea who expressed his hearty praise to the general manager, Count
Berzetti of Buronzo.
S.A.
I.A.C.A. (INDUSTRIA ANIDRIDE CARBONICA ASMARA)
Founded
in 1943, it has an annual capital of Eth. $. 150,000.
The
establishment is situated in the Campo Polo zone, on 4,000 sq m of owned
land. On this lot are erected the buildings of the plant, absorption
tower, cooling coils, gas meter, warehouse and coal deposit, workers'
housing, health premises, workshops and garage.
The
plant produces carbon dioxide (C02), for alimentary use.
The CO2 gas is produced by a completely electrified absorption
installation based of the Shultz system.
The
product is sold both in the internal market as well as in that of Saudi
Arabia.
MINING INDUSTRY
MINING COMPANY ERITREA S.A.
Sole
manager of this society is the countryman geom. Mario Venturi. It actually
operates in the mining centres of Ugaro' and Damishoba'. It owns a social
capital of Eth. $ 14,000, while the employed capital amounts to Eth.
$. 300,000.
The
Society has available large installations for the treatment of the minerals,
by way of ores fracturing, grinding and cyanide
processing sections. The data concerning the ores treated in 1957 can
thus be summarized: 15,804.758 tons of mineral have been crushed and
an equal amount has been ground while 12,167 tons of sands have undergone
cyanide processing. In 1958 the mineral treated has increased: grinding
has reached 16,197.5 tons while cyanide processing reached 14,694 tons.
The
production for the year 1959 has been the following: amalgam 251,684
gr; muds 487,000 gr; washed slags 3,851 gr; gold obtained (average 23
carats) 124,959.340 gr; silver (400/1000) 2,975 gr. Instead in 1958
the production reached the following results: amalgam 253.626 gr; muds
768,000; slags 3,498.3; gold obtained (22/23 carats) gr. 140,944.77;
silver obtained (480/1000) 3,610 gr.
The
employed manpower - managers, technicians, clerks, mechanics, miners
and labourers - is of about 200 dependents
The
society has available also a thermoelectrical power plant, a pneumatic
set, an hydric set and a well equipped mechanical workshop run by electricity.
The
works carried out in the mine from January 1st to December 31st 1950
are the following:
a)
Underground works
1
- Opening of a section of heading 33 m long , uniting heading n. 4 with
the exterior in a raised position in respect of the river. This heading,
executed completely in the muck, became necessary in order to assure
a safe outlet to the exterior for the underground works.
2
- Opening sections of heading underneath the river so as to unite the
underground left working site with the right working site.
3
- Closing of the outlets to the exterior of headings n. 4 and n. 5,
both at river's level, in order to avoid floodings of the underground
working sites.
4
- Opening of the crosscut bank n. 3 - long 97 m - linking headings n.
5 and n. 2.
5
- Prolongation of heading n. 6 for a length of 40 m so as to link heading
n. 4 with pit n. 1. This link has not yet taken place and it will be
completed within the current year.
6
- Prolongation of headings n. 4 - 5 - 1 - 2.
7
- Deepening of pits n. 1 and 2.
8
- Opening of drainage channels for water's natural fall.
b)
Works in the open
1
- Completion of the three-way raising installation.
2
- Building of 1 silo placed on the bedding's head.
3
- Building of the washing plant.
4
- Building of the raising installation on pit n. 1.
5
- Setting of the electrical line between the raising work site and pits
n. 1 and 2.
6
- Installation of an electrical pump into pit n.1 and into pit n. 2.
c)
Stoping works
No
stoping work has been carried out during all of 1959, also because,
due to the
easy self-ignition
of lignite, it was not possible to store it externally.
In the mine 50 persons
are constantly employed.
As
it can be seen, it is an establishment of a serious and of secure future,
which owns its own origin to the work done in East Africa by the Italian
Administration through the properly qualified organization, then named
A.M.A.O. (Azienda Miniere Africa Orientale).
SOCIETA'
ANONIMA MINERARIA IN DUCAMBIA
The
activity was born in January 1946 with the purpose to exploit the gold
deposits in Ducambia. The grinding installation is composed of a Frazer
battery with 5 stampers of 500 kg, activated by a naphta "Diesel" engine.
The
cyanide processing section in made up of 6 cyanidation vats of 19 m3
each and it is supplied with other subsidiary vats and by a pool for
gold precipitates.
In
the establishment there is a building for the owner's own dwelling with
lodging for the nationals there employed; there is also one hangar for
the storage of the equipment and of the engines; one mechanical workshop,
several stores and a foundry chamber.
The
average monthly production of gold is of about three kg.
The
plant employs a national and 120 native workers.
MINING GRANT
IN DALLOL (DANAKIL REGION)
a)
The salt field (sodium chloride) for a total of 145 ha situated
in the Salt Plain (Danakil Depression), Assale' zone (Karum - Bad Halaila
- Colulli) at about 115 km from the truck roadway from Mersa Fatma (on
the bay of Hauakil).
b)
Manganese mineral deposits for an area of 10 ha, situated in
the Greun Inkafela' zone (to the south west beyond the Salt Plain) at
about 20 km from Assale'.
c)
Beryllium - the grant besides includes a deposit of this mineral
for a total of 300 ha in the Barale' zone (to the south west beyond
the Salt Plain) at about 35 km, air line, from Assale'. This deposit
is however subjected to further technical studies to be carried out
in site, as the analyses so far carried out on the collected samples
have given a yield of beryllium contents to low and as such not economical.
ASSALE'
SALT MINES
The
deposit can be considered as almost inexhaustible given the huge extension
of the Salt Plain (6,000 sq km) and given the annual continuous and
spontaneous reproduction of new salt crusts, along almost all the surface
of the plain itself, with the inflowing of the waters coming from the
seasonal rains in the highlands.
The
product is optimum, of a snowy white color, almost perfect due to its
low contents of impurities. It is packed into jute bags (each of 50
kg) so as to ease its handling.
The
salt of the Danakil region is greatly sought for by the people of the
ethiopian hinterland and it is preferred to the salt of marine production.
The
yearly salt's consume for feeding and for industrial use in the Ethiopian
territory is of about 50,000 tons.
Actually
the production work in the salt mine is done exclusively by the manual
system, that is, without any mechanical equipment.
The
transportation from the salt mine to Mersa Fatma is carried out by means
of trucks.
From
Mersa Fatma the salt is forwarded to Ethiopia through the harbors of
Massawa, Assab and Djibouti, with small vessels of a maximum tonnage
of 100/120 tons, because in the Mersa Fatma bay the depth is not suitable
for larger vessels.
DEPOSIT
OF MANGANESE MINERALS
The
deposit, quantitatively, is not very important ( although it has not
yet been possible to effectuate an appropriate evaluation). As a matter
of fact it has been roughly evaluated to only 45,000/50,000 tons of
mineral. However it appears as qualitatively very interesting. Many
analyses carried out on samples collected in the deposit have given
an average contents of 51% of manganese.
Actually
the in the Inkafela' deposit the production work is carried out, as
well as for the salt mine, exclusively with the manual system and therefore
without any mechanical equipment.
The
daily production is of about 400 q. Nowadays about 120 local workers
are employed and about ten eritreans (drivers, helpers, mechanics, carpenters).
The
italians are, presently, 8: a manager, an accountant, a miner and 5
drivers.
For
the transport of Inkafela's minerals to Mersa Fatma, heavy lorries with
trailers (Fiat 634 - OM - Titano) are used, actually in the number of
six.
From
Mersa Fatma the mineral is transported to Massawa by two vessels (100
and 140 tons) on weekly service.
The
mineral of manganese has been sold in the United States and in Holland
and in Massawa 4,000 tons are awaiting embarkation for the above mentioned
destinations.
During
the first three days of the month of January of the current year, a
first lot of 500 tons has been shipped, directed to Holland.
WOOD
AND PAPER INDUSTRY
A.M.A.P. - (AFRICAN
MATCHES AND PAPER FACTORY LTD.) ASMARA - FABBRICA FIAMMIFERI E CARTIERA.
Although
in the S.A. A.M.A.P. - share capital Eth. $. 500,000 - ethiopian capitalists
are presently interested in the measure of 51%, the establishment represents
an essentially italian activity, because wholly italian were its origins
and italian is its actual technical management.
As
a matter of fact the A.M.A.P. plant sprang up in 1943 under the name
of I.F.M.A. - Industria Fiammiferi Maderni - Asmara - and started its
own production of matches in 1944 and that of paper in 1947, production
which as of now still continues under the technical supervision of the
brothers Eng. Aldo and Nico Maderni.
Both
in one, as well as in the other field of production, the first machineries
were planned and constructed in Eritrea. In the matches' section the
A.M.A.P. has today a productive capability of 250,000 boxes daily, but
an effective production of about 50,000 boxes, production which is absorbed
partly by the eritrean market which has an average monthly consume of
400,000 boxes while for the remainder it is sent to Ethiopia and exported
to Somalia now under the Italian Fiduciary Administration.
The
processing of the A.M.A.P.'s matches is only partially mechanical and
this so as to avoid, like for other industries, to reduce too much the
employment of manpower. Manual are the framing operations for the application
of the matches' ignitable head and those of packing into boxes; mechanical
those of exfoliation of the stalks and cutting of the splinters.
In
the paper factory section, the A.M.A.P. essentially produces wrapping
paper of the yellow and gray types, in the measure of 50 q daily, production
absorbed by the Eritrean and Ethiopian markets. For the production of
the yellow paper the A.M.A.P. utilizes wheat chaff, while for the grey
type it exploits the dry leaves of the dum palm which contain a high
percentage of cellulose.
Given
the great abundance of the raw material - dum palm and other spontaneous
vegetation - the A.M.A.P. has also in schedule the production of cellulose
for other uses.
Situated
in a very vast plot of land at the outskirts of Asmara, with large buildings,
the A.M.A.P. has departments of mechanical workshop and of joinery for
labels and printed materials.
The
eritrean manpower employed exceeds 300 units.
Important
innovations have taken place in the establishment during the year 1959.
They are the following:
a)
- The execution of the connection, by way of a 150 mm pipe line, from
the lake of Acria Superior with the paper factory, along a stretch of
about 5 km which conveys, by gravity fall, the lake's water to the factory's
workplace.
It
is a work of large import which largely warrants the paper factory's
water needs, also in relation to all the foreseeable future developments.
b)
- The acquisition of the full ethiopian market insofar as it concerns
the matches supply. As a matter of fact, imports of matches from abroad
have been closed since about two years and since six months every other
internal production has given up. Consequently A.M.A.P.'s daily production
has increased from 40.000 to 60.000 boxes and it is foreseen that it
will reach 100.000 boxes; that which, in any case, represents half of
the matches factory's productive capability, which therefore still preserves
large possibilities for the export markets.
In
the morning of April 8, 1960, HE the representative of H.I.M. has visited
the establishments of the African Match and Paper, with a keen self
interest to the production's progresses which by now supplies the full
need of Ethiopia and showing to the managers his satisfaction for the
achieved results.
CARTIERA F.LLI PERRONE
- ASMARA
The
setting up of a paper factory was decided upon, so as to provide to
the lack of packing paper and cardboard, in 1941. The establishment
is located at east Medri Zien-Carneshim and more properly at the 13th
km on the Asmara-Keren road, with a further stretch of 3.5 km of dirt
road on the left of the above mentioned roadway.
The
establishment is made up of two mullers, one beating engine, a (macchina
in tondo ?? ) Fourdrinier machine for the production of paper, one
calender, one press, one hammer for the drawing up of the paper, one
wet splitting machine for cardboard and other various machineries, all
actioned by several electrical engines working through the SEDAO electrical
power network.
The
necessary - and for the factory vital - water, is pumped from a small
artificial lake with perennial water 400 m away and with an elevation
of 35 m.
All
the machinery, during the first periods of the occupation, when it was
not possible to import from Europe, was planned and built by the brothers
Federico and G. Battista Perrone in the workshop located in Decamehare.
Afterward, the imports from Europe started and part of this machinery
was substituted and perfected with original parts.
The
producing capability is of 250 q of paper and cardboard monthly but,
due to the local competition and the imports, the said production is
reduced to about 180 q monthly.
The
factory produces; gray paper, chaff paper and cardboard and the product
is sold solely in the eritrean market.
The
workmanship, composed by eritreans only, is of 29 persons who live with
their families in the vicinity of the establishment. Other 25 eritrean
workers are employed in the establishment located in Asmara, Edaga Hamus
zone, where packing boxes, disparate alvearies for eggs packaging, small
bags, etc. are produced.
The
raw material for the production is made up of scrap paper and straw.
The
annual business volume is of about Eth. $. 120,000. The employed capital
is of about Eth. $. 30,000. The factory of Medri Zien is situated on
demesne land, where, at the times of the Italian Government, a gold
mine of the A.M.A.O. was existing, while that where the boxes are manufactured
in Asmara - Edaga Hamus, covering a surface of 3,000 sq m, with about
1,000 sq m covered, is property of the Fratelli Perrone.
PAPER
FACTORY M. VILLANI - ASMARA
Godaif,
road 153
The
beginning of the activity goes back to 1950. The factory produces
only a type of brownish packaging paper. The product is sold entirely
in Eritrea. The capital employed is of about Eth. $. 20,000,
inclusive of the value of the building, machineries and of the various
equipment.
The
annual business value reaches Eth. $. 50,000. The actual activity, of
an artisan character, is appreciated on the market, where the product
meets the consumers' favour.
The
firm employs 15 eritrean dependents.
THE MILLING INDUSTRY
S.A. F.LLI TOSCA
d'AFRICA
The
society, under the denomination of S.N.E.D.A. (SOCIETE' NATIONALE ETIOPIENNE
DEVELOPEMENT AGRICULTURE) effectively is an issuing of the Fratelli
Tosca of Castel San Giovanni (Piacenza) and has a capital of Eth. $.
1,200,000. It has been constituted to manage for itself and for third
parties, the cleansing of the cereals, of dry pulses and oily seeds,
and releases the impurity certificates requested for the export of the
mentioned commodities.
The
Society has seven installations in the ethiopian territory, two of which
in Eritrea, in Asmara and Assab.
The
establishment of Asmara, situated on the road to Massawa and linked
to the eritrean railways, has very modern installations - italian -
and can process up to 1,000 q daily, employing, in the period of activity
- which goes from November to February/March, over 50 eritrean workers,
managed by italian personnel.
The
S.N.E.D.A. establishment in Assab has a producing capability of 700
q daily, with the employment of about 30 workers.
The
Fratelli Tosca are well known for their milling installations in various
centres of Ethiopia. In Eritrea they operate with the Decamehare's establishment
which can produce up to 200 q of corn flour daily.
SOCIETA'
ERITREA DI MACINAZIONE S.A. - ASMARA
Via
F. De Rosa 2
The
society was constituted in 1914 with italian capital. Actually the shares
are all in possession of our countrymen. It produces all types of corn
flour and common and egg alimentary paste. It has availability of all
machineries, a cylinder-mill with 12 rounds and a pasta factory with
three continuous presses.
It
employs ten italian clerks and workers and 50 eritrean workers.
The
product is entirely absorbed by the eritrean market.
The
annual business volume is of about Eth. $.1,200,000.
S.A.
"ALFA" - ASMARA
The
firm carries out various activities for the processing of flour. It
has available installations for bread, biscuits, and pastry production.
The sole administrator is the countryman Eugenio Spallazzo. The employed
capital is of about Eth. $. 10,000. The product finds an optimal setting
on the Asmara's market.
DITTA
EREDI G. VAUDETTO - MOLINO E PASTIFICIO - ASMARA
The
construction of the cylinder mill was done in the year 1900 by the Knight
of Labour Giuseppe Vaudetto. The installation supplied all the eritrean
needs until 1935.
The
firm employs a currency capital of Eth. $. 150,000 in order to supply
itself of raw materials in the italian markets. It employs about 20
workers, italians and eritreans. The production might easily exceed
400 tons of flour monthly, but it is reduced due to the competition
of the flours which flow in from the Addis Ababa market.
MARBLE, CEMENT AND BRICKS INDUSTRY
DITTA FABIO GRAZINI
It
is the major eritrean Firm for the working of marble and granite. It
has available also means for the artistic working of marble. The laboratory
is supplied with one multiple-blades sawing frame to saw blocks and
to make slabs; two honing and polishing machines; two electrical hammers.
The owner also has two grants for the excavation of blocks: one in Mai
Edaga and another in Hocreb.
Valuable
marble is normally ordered in Italy. The laboratory is built on property
land, which includes an hangar, two sheds, and two villas for dwelling.
The
Grazini firm supplied its work to outstanding constructions, built in
Eritrea and in Ethiopia. It employs, on the average, 20 native workers.
DITTA
VIRGILIO MOLINARI - LAVORAZIONE DEL CEMENTO - ASMARA
The
industrial activity of the Ditta Molinari includes a large variety of
products and machineries. In the working place - nearby modern machinery
for the production of grit (Molinari has own marble quarries in Eritrea),
for cement and sand mixing, for the manufacture of tiles, their polishing,
and many other works - still to be seen, and at times also used, are
machineries built locally during the war period and planned by Molinari
himself: witness of an ingenuity and of a working will which does not
surrender in front of obstacles and which as a matter of fact are a
characteristic of the Italians' work in Eritrea.
Virginio
Molinari, with his own slogan "everything with cement" has used cement
for the most disparate works, from the common tile for the footpaths
to those decorated with a coating thickness of coloured marble; from
modest sinks to great tanks, from small, large and enormous pipes, to
the bellied wine vats; from the benches widespread in the public gardens
to the monumental fountains; from the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian capitals
to the prefabricated elements for reinforced concrete ceilings.
I.M.L.A.S.A.
(INDUSTRIA MINERARIA LATERIZI E AFFINI S.A.)
P.
O. Box 398 - Asmara
The
firm sprang up a few years ago and, contrarily to the others of the
same kind, which are all artisan-based, with production of bricks and
hollow bricks, it is on a developing trend on an industrial base, with
the purchase of a brick moulding machine of the Officine Reggiane costing
about 5,000,000 italian Lira capable of producing 4,000 gasified bricks
per hour. The purchase has been determined for the purpose of diminishing
the production cost and to provide a reserve for the rainy period ,
when the excavation is not possible.
The
firm avails itself of a Hoffmann kiln with aspirators. The baking capability
reaches 300,000 bricks monthly. The employed manpower is of about seventy
eritrean workers.
DITTA
GAETANO GUERRA - ASMARA -
Via
Amerigo Di Fazio 58
It
is a well advanced firm for cement manufactured products and for marble
working. It is supplied with two kilns. The effective average production
is of 1,200 q monthly. The maximum productive capability is of 70 q
daily. The machinery employed is of italian production. The export is
directed to Saudi Arabia, in Aden's territory. However, the internal
market normally absorbs the production. The Ditta Guerra is represented
in loco by the Soc. An. E. HENRAUX of Querceta (Lucca).
DITTA
ROSSI E FRANCHETTI - ASMARA
Via
Tornabuoni
Industry
with four kilns available, it has an effective average monthly production
of 4,000 q. The maximum productive capability is around 150 q daily.
The factory utilises mineral and vegetable coal.
S.A.I.L.A.
- ASMARA -
This
factory too is on an artisan basis for the production of bricks and
hollow bricks. The product's amount is of about 100,000 bricks
monthly. It has an average of 20 eritrean dependents.
DITTA
MANGANO - ASMARA -
The
factory has available a cog wheel kiln, but it is implanting a Hoffman
kiln which will allow it to increase the production from 150,000 to
300,000 bricks monthly.
DITTA
GERACI - ASMARA -
It
has two Hoffman kilns available, with stack. It bakes 300,000 bricks
monthly. The firms has about 60 eritrean dependents.
ELECTROMECHANICAL INDUSTRIES
OFFICINA ELETTROMECCANICA REMO SISLER - ASMARA
It is
a serious firm, technically equipped for works of large size.
To
this workshop is due the emplacement of whole installations and the
construction of the machineries of many local industries (Tabacchi Factory,
various installations for the salt plants of Massawa and Assab; installations
for aqueducts, etc.).
In
the last period the Firm affirmed itself in the ethiopian market for
the construction of barges and patrol vessels, which have been put to
use for the fast transport of motor vehicles from Bahr Dar and Gorgora',
on the Tana lake.
COSTRUZIONI
MECCANICHE VINCENZO COSTA - ASMARA
Viale
degli Arditi 76
The
firm's activity started in 1936. Nowadays it avails itself of a capital
of over Eth. $. 1,000,000 represented by immovable property, machineries,
reserves, manufactured goods, etc. The yearly business value is calculated
on the average from Eth. $. 500,000 to 600,000. The firm exports weighing
balances, brick moulding presses and any other iron work requested.
The markets toward which it directs its own products are Aden, Saudi
Arabia and Sudan, besides the internal markets of Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The usual number of the italian employees of the firm is of 20, while
that of the eritrean workers reaches 50.
As
we pointed out in another part of the report, the firm undertook from
the Government the important tender for the construction of the dam
at Zula for a value of Eth. $. 1,700,000.
The
works, started the past year, have been visited on January 15, 1960,
by H.I.M. the Emperor, who deeply interested himself concerning the
general progress of the whole work.
POGGIOLI
ORFEO - OFFICINA MECCANICA - ASSAB -
It
has a moderate compound which engages four native workers.
The
owner started his activity on his own during the current year. Able
person, he has the maintenance task of the engines of Assab's aqueduct.
His primary activity however is in the field of road transports.
PESCARMONA
RICCARDO - ASSAB -
He
has an own compound, with a large fenced field, a small palace, some
premises for battery charging, preparation of distilled water, welding.
Mr. Pescarmona, able person, liked, financially strong, has always carried
out, after the last war, activity by his own. He fabricates also batteries
for motor vehicles.
DESIDERI
RINO - OFFICINA MECCANICA - ASSAB
ELECTRICAL
INDUSTRIES
"S.E.D.A.O." - (SOCIETA' ELETTRICA DELL'AFRICA ORIENTALE)
Social
Seat: Asmara - Avenue Empress Menem, 87
Activity: production
and distribution of the electrical energy in Asmara - Massawa - Ghinda
- Nefasit - Embatkalla - Dongollo - Mai Habar.
Social Capital:
Eth. $. 1,400,000.
Annual production:
about 22,000,000 kw/hr.
Beginning of the
S.E.D.A.O. activity: 1st February 1936.
Installations:
a) Thermoelectrical
power stations of Asmara - Massawa Gerar - Massawa North - Massawa West,
with 21 thermoelectrical groups for a total power of 12,694 HP.
b) Dorfu' I and
Dorfu' II hydroelectric power stations, with n. 4 turbines for a total
of 22,000 HP.
Italian dependents
employed: on the average n. 130.
Eritrean dependents
employed: on the average n. 650.
The
S.E.D.A.O. took over the installations of the Azienda Elettrica Governatoriale
dell'Eritrea in 1936, engaging itself to bring them, within a short
time, to the necessary degree of efficiency and to increase their potentiality.
This being an all but easy task, given the incumbent heap of unfavorable
circumstances, such as: the precarious condition of the inherited industrial
complex, the sudden and rapid increase of the population, and the consequent
development of the various commercial and industrial activities of the
Colony.
The
influence zones to which the Society had to assure the supply of the
electrical energy included the two main centres of Eritrea: Asmara and
Massawa, as well as the other minor ones situated along the roadway
connecting them: Dogali, Ghinda, Embatkalla and Nefasit. The production
plants were three: two thermal, Massawa and Asmara; the third, named
"of Dorfu'", hydraulic.
Leaving
out the diverse phases with which the enlargement of the installations
came about, the power set up in the thermal installation has actually
reached 15,000 HP and the energy production has risen to 22,000,000
kw yearly. This result has been reached, besides providing to the installation
of new generators, by enlarging the production power plants, building
new transformers' cabins, renewing and developing the distribution networks,
laying down high voltage cables both in the sea and on the land and
to the completing of the high voltage line (50,000 volt) which links
the power plant of Massawa with that of Asmara.
Also,
the remarkable extent of the S.E.D.A.O. complex, the marked diversity
of climate and of elevation of the zones concerned, have issued some
fundamental questions, specially in respect of the thermoelectrical
power plants, which have been studied and solved in a satisfactory way
since the first years of existence of the society.
This
important mass of work is mirrored, partly, by the growth reported in
the following list:
1936 - 1958
Generators installed
in the power plants HP 1,750 15,000
Transformers installed
in the power plants KVA 1,800 13,750
Transformers' cabins
n. 16 143
Transformers in
the above mentioned cabins KVA 955 14,000
Length of the high
voltage lines km 110 200
High voltage cables
km 0.500 2.200
Length of low voltage
lines km 14 101
Voltage of the electrical
line Massawa-Asmara Volt 25,000 50,000
Voltage of the power
supply line Volt 3,200 5,440/3,200
Voltage of the power
distribution line Volt 220/127 220/127
Frequency cps 50
50
As
for what concerns the hydroelectric installations, the work carried
out and actuated by the S.E.D.A.O. ended with a gathering of water,
and resultant production of electrical energy, more than tripled. The
first and so far only hydroelectric installation arisen in Eritrea,
that of Belesa-Dorfu', as a matter of fact utilized a modest collecting
basin situated along the eastern edge of the highland and constituted
by an extension of land whose valleys were obstructed by earth dams
thus creating the artificial basins of Belesa and Valle Gnecchi for
a total capacity of 2,000,000 m3.
This
was, in reality, the hydroelectric installation built by the Government
of Eritrea in 1919-1920 and given in grant to the S.E.D.A.O in 1936
together with the rudimentary thermoelectrical installations then extant.
The extension of the collecting basins of Belesa and Valle Gnecchi was
however so small and the hydrological efficiency so low that the hydroelectric
installation not only was of no efficacious service for the production
of electrical energy but it also resulted as of a relatively burdensome
management.
In
these conditions of precariousness S.E.D.A.O. quite soon decided to
procure for itself other water by artificially extending the above mentioned
basins and by creating other basins of a greater capacity. Hence S.E.D.A.O.
thoroughly faced the actuation of a new program in respect of which,
from the first months of 1940, damming works for the "Toccor" stream
were started in the vicinity of the village of Addi Shiaca', for the
creation of the homonymous lake of a capacity of more than 5,000,000
m3.
The
above mentioned works, forcedly withheld following the war vicissitudes,
were fully taken up again in 1953 and by now they have been terminated.
Among the works of recent accomplishment are to be pointed out, in particular,
the doubling of the forced conduits of the hydroelectric power plants
Dorfu' I and Dorfu' II, and the building of the new large Dorfu' road
as well as the enlargement and arrangement of the preexistent road.
The
important complex of works of the Eritrean Relief, built by S.E.D.A.O.,
not only constitutes a noteworthy increase of electrical energy, but
moreover also a fundamental backing to the hydric supply of the population
of the city of Asmara.
The
amounts which have been exposed in the present short memorial give only
a partial idea of the efforts which S.E.D.A.O. has fulfilled in 23 years
of activity, overcoming difficulties of all kinds, so as to warrant
the important and essential services with which it has been entrusted.
All
in all the S.E.D.A.O.'s investments in Eritrea correspond to about Eth.
$. 10,000,000, of which about Eth. $. 3,000,000 represent the amount
of the new installations and of the works carried out after September
15, 1952, whose implementation - as to 31 December 1959 - has required
over one million working days.
C.O.N.I.E.L.
(COMPAGNIA NAZIONALE IMPRESE ELETTRICHE) - ASMARA -
Ii
was constituted in 1935 in Rome with the purpose to execute all the
constructions of electrical installations in the Ethiopian Empire.
Since
1936 the "C.O.N.I.E.L.", having obtained agency to act in the
Empire in its own specific activity, established itself in all the most
important centres of Ethiopia and Eritrea, except Massawa and Asmara
where, already before 1935, the S.E.D.A.O. was active, carrying out
some installations of small thermoelectrical plants, while at the same
time a projects office carried out the projects for the large hydroelectric
power plants.
On
May 1940 the studies and the projects were completed, among which that
of the Awash of the power of 40,000 HP, to supply electrical energy,
besides Addis Ababa, also to Dire Dawa and Harar, and it would have
given the possibility to irrigate and make fertile the vast plain which
from the collecting basin goes toward the Arussi.
The
C.O.N.I.E.L. accomplished, finishing it in a record time, the hydroelectric
plant of Akaki, so as to meet without delay Addis Ababa always increasing
energy requirements.
Akaki's
hydroelectric plant, together with the thermoelectrical, have supplied
up to the present day the necessary energy to Addis Ababa, while the
Awash project is actually being carried out by the "Societa' Imprese
Italiane all'Estero" (IMPRESIT), a work which will be executed as an
account for reparation payment from Italy to Ethiopia.
The
intervened war events did not allow the execution of the large projects
of the "Salto del Gallo" at Dessie', of Falaga at Gondar and of the
Mai Nehafit in Eritrea. The last one could have supplied all the eritrean
centres with the energy to them necessary and guarantee to the town
of Asmara a large quantity of potable water in any period of the year.
During
the British occupation the C.O.N.I.E.L. improved the installations which
had been effectuated on a provisional basis; those in Ethiopia were
taken over by the Ethiopian Government as war booty.
The
eritrean plants, Decamehare and Adi Ugri (electrical energy and aqueducts)
Keren, Adi Caieh and Adi Qwala (Electric Energy) have been enhanced
due to the inflow of italians evacuated from Ethiopia in the following
measure:
Decamehare
n. 1 electrical generating set total power HP 1,400
Adi
Ugri " 4 " " " " " " 650
Keren
" 4 " " " " " " 500
Adi
Caieh " 2 " " " " " " 100
Adi
Qwala " 3 " " " " " " 120
This
power is still installed in the various plants, but, while during the
period of italian overpopulation it was hardly sufficient to satisfy
the energy request, after the italian population repatriation it became
exuberant, creating for the C.O.N.I.E.L. a rather difficult economical
situation.
The
difficult position greatly increased in 1952 when the production costs
started to increase - and they are still increasing nowadays - without
having been able to obtain from the Government a readjustment of the
cost rates of the electrical energy.
The
C.O.N.I.E.L annually supplies 850,000 kw which represent a fourteenth
part of the amount absorbed by Massawa and Asmara, where nevertheless
there is some prosperity in respect to the five centres supplied by
the C.O.N.I.E.L. which suffer for a increasingly preoccupying economy.
S.A.I.B.O.
(SOC. AN. INDUSTRIALE BASSOPIANO OCCIDENTALE)
The
activity goes back to before the last world war. The establishment is
actually property of Avv. Bevilacqua. It heads three different industries,
represented by an electrical power plant, an ice factory and the aqueduct.
The
ice factory limits the production to the necessities of the same zone,
inasmuch as the aqueduct supplies water to the same territory.
The
utility of the three industries is of notable solace to the not few
countrymen who live or gravitate in the Western Lowlands for work purposes.
The
personnel in charge of the three establishments is made up of two italian
and nine eritrean workers.
CENTRALE
ELETTRICA IGAZIO SAVOCA - ASSAB
It
is the most important complex of this sector, in Assab. It employs three
national workers and ten eritreans. The plant supplies to the town the
electrical energy for both domestic and industrial use.
The
installation is made up of two 200 HP engines, three of 100 HP, and
(? manca definizione nel testo originale: numero) 300 HP and
produces an annual average of 1,000,000 kw.
A
financially solid firm, with the probability of an additional development.
The proprietor, an individual well introduced in the eritrean and ethiopian
environments, is a serious and able person.
ICE INDUSTRY
S.A.G.E. (SOC. AN. GHIACCIAIE ERITREE) - MASSAWA
Formed
in 1900, it actually has a 20 years contract with the Eritrean Government
for the operation and the management of Massawa's plant, having renounced
in favour of the said government, to the installations of its own property.
It has a social capital of Eth. $. 84,500 and an employed capital of
Eth. $. 250,000. It employs about twenty workers, eritrean and italians.
It
is the best equipped ice factory of Eritrea. The mechanical implements
utilized can be so summarized:
n.2
compressor and ammonia installations; installation by ammonia expansion
for the freezer cells; vapor installation, vaporizers and machineries
for the production of distilled water, electrical motors and technical
equipment for the three productions.
GHIACCIAIA
AMILCARE COVEZZI - ASMARA
It
sprang up in 1937 for the uses of an agricultural, commercial
and industrial enterprise. It has a productive capability of a ton daily
of ice bars of 15 kg each. It is located in a building or property
of Mr. Covezzi.
FABBRICA
DI GHIACCIO - CIGNANI ORLANDO - ASSAB
It
is the only ice plant existing in Assab. With an efficient and quite
modern equipment, it started its activity in 1955. The countrymen Cignani
owns the building and the land where the plant stands. The dependent
workers are three natives. The proprietor is a hard working, able and
esteemed person.
FABBRICA
DI GHIACCIO - LUCIO CABIATI - ASMARA
Installed
in a property building, the plant is made up of seven freezer cells
capable of producing 50 q of ice daily. The daily normal production
is of about 10-15 q which is almost completely absorbed by the American
Command of the Kagnew Station.
FABBRICA
DI GHIACCIO - EMANUELE CINNIRELLA - ASMARA
A
well equipped firm, availing itself of such means such as to produce
over 100 q of ice daily, through moulds of the size of 25 kg.
Actually
it reduced the production due to the crisis that this industrial sector
in particular is going through. The proprietor has available a property
building for the plant.
FABBRICA
DI GHIACCIO - RICCARDO FRANCESCATO - ASMARA
It
is a plant of modest potentiality, which can produce a maximum of 25
q of ice daily. The actual production, for those reasons already hinted
at concerning the particular crisis of this industry, does not exceed
2 q of ice daily. The product is made with moulds of 25 kg. The plant
is located in a leased building, property of the S.A. FIAT of Torino.
FABBRICA
DI GHIACCIO - COLONGO & TONNELLOTTO - ASMARA
Located
in a building of property of the firm itself, the plant produces up
to 5 q of ice daily, in moulds of 15 and 25 kg. The product is absorbed
by the city market.
HOTEL
INDUSTRY
It is an industry which, in the most substantial and
most interesting part, is almost entirely in the hands of countrymen.
The major hotels of Eritrea are managed by the C.I.A.A.O.
(COMPAGNIA IMMOBILIARE ALBERGHI AFRICA ORIENTALE) that owns the following
buildings, supplied with a first-order equipment:
ALBERGO C.I.A.A.O. - ASMARA
It
sprang up in 1937. It employs 8 europeans and 41 natives. The number
of the rooms is 66 with 93 beds; each room in complete with bathroom
and shower. It has a restaurant which can serve 150 meals at the time.
Each
room has its own telephone. In the hall there is also a television set.
It is the only hotel authorized to exchange foreign currency.
ALBERGO
HAMASIEN - ASMARA
It
sprang up in 1935. It employs 1 european and 6 natives. The number of
the rooms is 40 with 71 beds.
ALBERGO
C.I.A.A.O. - MASSAWA
It
sprang up in 1938. It employs 6 europeans and 33 natives. The number
of the rooms is 61 with 99 beds; each room is complete with bathroom
and shower. A section has been ceded to the americans with a contract
stipulated as from 11.21.1958, renewable yearly. The restaurant can
serve 250 meals at the time. It is equipped with a swimming pool and
various gymnasiums.
Besides
the above mention hotels, managed by the C.I.A.A.O., the following other
premises used as lodging-houses and boarding houses are existing in
Asmara:
ALBERGO
ITALIA - ASMARA
Owner
and manager is the countryman Menghetti. The hotel goes back to 1899.
It has 35 rooms available, some of which are provided with a bathroom.
The premise is supplied with restaurant, cafe' and billiards.
It
has 15 national and eritrean dependent persons.
ALBERGO
ROMA - ASMARA
Beyche
Ghebre Street n. 4
Manager,
since about four years, is the countryman Morandini Federico. It sprang
up in 1914. It has 12 rooms with bathroom and shower available. It has
4 attendants on service. A restaurant is annexed.
PENSIONE
DIANA - ASMARA
Avenue
Haile' Selassie' n. 70
The
manager is Mr. Bianchi Onello. The boarding house exists since about
20 years. It has10 rooms with bathroom and shower available. It has
4 dependents. It has a dining rooms for its own customers.
PENSIONE
VITTORIA - ASMARA
Avenue
Haile' Selassie' n. 54
Since
about three years the countryman Zacconi Rocco is its manager. The boarding
house exists since about 20 years. It has 16 rooms available, with bathroom
and shower. It has 5 dependent attendants.
The
boarding house has also a restaurant-hall.
PENSIONE
BRISTOL - ASMARA
Sebhatu
Tesfamichael Street n. 2
It
is managed by Mr. Massalin Domenico. The boarding house sprang up in
1941. It has 15 rooms available. It has 4 dependent attendants.
PENSIONE
ASTORIA - ASMARA
Via
Sacconi n. 14
Managed
by Mr. Massalin Domenico. It has 8 rooms available, with bathroom and
shower. It has 3 dependents at its own service.
PENSIONE
AUGUSTUS - ASMARA
Via
Lorenzini n. 5
Managed
by Mrs. Trini Maria. The boarding house sprang up in 1940.It has 4 dependents.
It has a kitchen service for its own clientele.
PENSIONE
IMPERIALE - ASMARA
Avenue
Haile' Selassie' n. 145
It
is managed by Mrs. Menegaz Erminia. The boarding house exists since
1939. It has 11 rooms with bathroom and shower available. It has 3 dependents
at its own service. It has a dining room for the clients.
PENSIONE
CENTRALE - ASMARA
Via
Carrara n. 11
Managed
by Mr. Greco Filippo. It sprang up in 1939. It has 3 dependents. It
has a dining room for its own customers.
ALBERGO PIETRO RULFI - ADI QWALA
ALBERGO RISTORANTE
"BELLAVISTA" - ADI UGRI
It
is managed by Mr. Bossi Enrico since 1942. It has 12 rooms available.
It has 4 dependent attendants at its own service.
ALBERGO SENAIT - KEREN
The
manager is the countryman Cangi Amleto. It exists since 1938, and it
has restaurant and bar available. It has 6 dependents. The rooms with
bathroom and shower are 8 in all.
PENSIONATO FEMMINILE - KEREN
The
countryman Aldo Maderni is the owner. It is managed by Mrs. Vecchia.
It is a private villa, adapted to boarding house for families. It has
15 rooms available, comfortably grouped into small independent apartments
made up of two or three rooms each. It is equipped with bathrooms and
showers.
It
has a charming park available.
ALBERGO SICILIA - KEREN
It
is managed since 1935 by the widow Albergo Maria. It has 10 rooms available.
It has 4 dependents. The premise is provided with a restaurant.
ALBERGO PATRIA - DECAMEHARE
Managed
by Mr. Pagotto Pietro since about three years. It is provided with restaurant-cafe'
with billiard rooms. It has 15 rooms available with bathroom and shower.
It has 6 dependents at its own service.
PENSIONE DRUSI MARIO - SENAFE'
It
is provided with 7 rooms. It has restaurant and cafe' service. It has
5 dependents.
TANNING INDUSTRY
CONCERIA E. BALDINI & C. - S.A. - ASMARA
It
is set in the Temenai zone (Villaggio Paradiso) of Asmara. Manager is
the countrymen Luigi Berrone, partner of Mr. Baldini The product finds
collocation on the local market. Before the Federation of Eritrea with
Ethiopia, the Firm exported moderate amounts of semi-tanned hides also
in Italy. The tannery imports prevailingly from Italy the chemical products
inherent to the industry.
CONCERIA
DI DEBAROA DEL DOTT. CARINI - ASMARA
It
was constituted in Asmara in 1938 for the tanning of hides and shoes
production. The establishment, all covered by masonry and reaching an
area of 200 sq m, has a monthly productive capability of 350 q of sole-leather
and of 10,000-12,000 sq ft of chromium calves (vitelli al cromo ??)
and tannin. It employs a working team of 7 italian specialists and 130
eritrean workers. The establishment has a potential productivity of
400 q of tanned hides monthly, but the product' sale is much inferior
due to the internal market's crisis and export difficulties.
The
company's capital is of Eth. $. 350,000; the employed capital is of
Eth. $.355,000; the annual business' volume is of Eth. $. 100,000.
THE
FURNITURE'S INDUSTRY
Eritrea holds 11 furniture factories of a certain importance
(10 of which italian) and many other minor laboratories, these too for
the main part italian. The yearly production, which is calculated to
exceed, in value, Eth. $. 300.000, is for almost two thirds absorbed
by the internal eritrean market; less than a third is directed towards
other ethiopian centres and only a small percentage is directed toward
Aden, Arabia and Djibouti.
The eritrean furniture industry utilises mostly imported
wood (from Italy and on a smaller extent from Scandinavia) and, only
in small quantities, ethiopian and eritrean woods.
An import movement of finished furniture is also existing,
calculated around Eth. $. 70,000 yearly, of which about Eth. $. 60,000
from Italy.
The most known italian furniture factories are the
following: Sambrini, Ritorto, Varisco e Corbisiero, Satta, F.R.E.A.,Palma,
Petrignani, Cianci, Paluzzi,
There are also furniture importers, like Nastasi (from
Italy), Calestrini (from Czechoslovakia), Valentini (from Italy). The
latter imports exclusively chairs.
ITALIAN
BUILDING CONTRACTORS
It is deemed necessary to make known the following
italian building contractor enterprises, which actually operate in Eritrea
and in Ethiopia, in every branch of the building activity. It concerns
serious Firms, all of which have accomplished an uninterrupted series
of magnificent realizations, in all the construction's fields.
Varnero Luigi e Giovanni - Via Nino Bixio 26 - Asmara1
Fanano
e Mezzedimi - Avenue Addis Ababa 63 - Asmara2
Tringali
e Mazzetti - Avenue Empress Menem 120-122 - Asmara
Fedi
Bruno - P. O. Box 801 - Asmara
Raffone
Aniello - Via Suez 10 - Asmara
F.lli
Plazzi - Via Bianchieri 34 - Asmara
Pollera
Gabriele - Via Adi Ugri 21 - Asmara
Pagano
Saverio - Via Marconi 22 - Asmara
Merante
Antonio - Avenue Ras Maconnen 31-34 - Asmara
Tardivo
Luigi - Avenue Addis Abeba 305 - Asmara
Tarantino
Nunzio - Viale della Vittoria 44 - Asmara
Ritacca
Vincenzo - Via Tasso 6 - Asmara
Chiarle
& Togliani - Via Bianchieri 34 - Asmara
Alessandra
Enrico - Via Vicenza 32 - Asmara
Tolli
Costanzo - Via Orero 10 - Asmara
Alfano
Francesco - Viale della Vittoria - Asmara
Cortese
Umberto - Avenue Ras Alula 45 - Asmara
Furlanetto
Giuseppe - Keren
Di
Stefano Carmelo - Massawa
Rizzi
e Rossi - Assab
Tedone
Alfredo - Assab
(1)
- Serious Firm and of remarkable economical capabilities and sure reliance.
During the year 1959 the Firm Luigi e Giovanni Varnero secured the tender
for the construction of the "Africa Palace", which will host the Panafrican
Conferences in Addis Ababa and which will serve as Permanent General
Headquarters for the United Nations Economical Commission for Africa.
The inaugural stone for this important building was laid down by H.I.M.
the Emperor on November 3rd, 1958. The tender was committed to the Varnero
Firm for the amount of Eth. $. 2,679,000, which constituted, among the
bidding firms, the lowest offer. "The Quotidiano Eritreo", the local
Government's printed information organism, with the following wording
reported the tender's awarding on 12 June 1959: "The Varnero firm does
not need to be introduced. In the past it has carried out some of the
most demanding public works, besides realizing grandiose edifices. It
constitutes an absolute guarantee in respect to what is referred to
the new work granted to it, which, once completed, will result to be
as one of the most representative palaces of the entire African Continent".
(2) The Technical Studio of Engineer Mario
Fanano and Architect Arturo Mezzedimi enjoys the particular estimation
of the Federal Government. The two aforementioned countrymen are, as
a matter of fact, the reliance technicians of the Administration of
the Ethiopian Empire. Many are the works carried out: Schools, Hospitals,
Colleges, Churches, Mosques, Palaces and various buildings and many
more should be quoted, from 1952 to 1959, in many centres of the country.
It is the work of the Studio Fanano and Mezzedimi also the project -
to which we referred to - relating to the magnificent building of the
"Africa Palace" being actually realized in Addis Ababa. The official
newspaper of the Eritrean Government, so expressed itself in meritoriously
praising the project of the two above mentioned technicians: "In this
really exceptional work it is dutiful to recognise the capability of
the two technicians of Asmara, Fanano and Mezzedimi, whose professional
seriousness, besides the gusto for the beautiful and for the modern,
has addressed toward them the study, as well as the successive elaboration
of the demanding project".
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
ALUMINIUM WORKS - DITTA AMBROGIO DRAGHI - ASMARA
This
industry has a notable production for objects for domestic use destined
for the greater part to the eritrean consumer's market itself.
It
has a press for the manufacturing of pans of various sizes; some lathes
for the production of templates and a small foundry department. It gives
work to about 20 eritrean workers.
FABBICA
DI CHIODI - F.LLI TEODORO AND FRANCESCO MAGNOTTI - ASMARA
Born
in 1942 for the manufacture of welding electrodes and afterward of nails,
with chance machinery and recovery materiels.
With
the upcoming of the Eritrean-Ethiopian Federation and the ensuing imports
freedom, the Ditta Magnotti found itself in need of improving its production
so as to face the foreign competition which offered an undoubtedly better
product.
The
machinery, purchased in Italy in 1956 and of a total cost of about Eth.
$. 100,000, includes a wire drawing machine for working the wire rod
coils in the desired diameters and 12 machines for nails production
of various measures: from 1 to 15 cm, with a production which varies
from 550 to 180 pieces per minute, depending on the size.
The
total production is of about 500 q monthly, 440 q of which directed
toward the Addis Ababa market and 100 q to Asmara's market.
The
workmanship in the factory is all eritrean. 80 workers are employed
who carry out continued turns throughout the 24 hours.
Besides
the factory has its own electrical supply voltage transformation cabin,
and italian machinery for the production of packing boxes which are
obtained from eucalyptus trunks.
On
the 29 July 1959 the Chief of the Government of Eritrea visited the
Fabbrica di Chiodi Magnotti and addressed to the industrial owners "warm
words of gratitude and encouragement - so as reported by the official
print organism of the local Government - for that which they had performed
by creating an industry unique in all the Ethiopian Empire".
S.A.R.I.C.E.
- SOC. AN. RAPPRESENTANZE INDUSTRIE COMMERCI ERITREI - ASMARA
The
Society' seat and the industrial installations are on a plot of land
of about 2,850 sq m. The Society has available a section for processing
tin plates, a section for canning alimentary products, and a products'
warehousing and shipping section.
The
section for working the tin plate is equipped with all the machineries,
and other articles (splitting, cropping, roller, side seaming and spilling
machines; presses, pivots, punching machines, etc.), for transforming
tin plate into cans The canning section is made up of a freezer cell,
a shearing machine (spolpatoio ?), a heater's room.
The
warehouse section includes large premises for the preservation of the
products, for preparing the boxes and for strap binding.
The
value of the installations is of about Eth. $. 130,000. The factory
can produce from 4 to 5 thousand cans of meat and an equal amount of
other products during a working round of eight hours.
E.M.C.O.
(YE ETHIOPIA MEGHIB CO.) - ASMARA
The
employed capital is of Eth. $. 210,000. The productive capacity ranges
from 9,000,000 to 10,000,000 cans annually. The dependent personnel
includes 6 italians and 150 eritreans, in the active season. In the
meager months the workers reduce to an average of 80.
The
whole processing is carried out for on behalf of the A.C.S.A.L. ( Azienda
Carni Societa' An. Lissonese) of Lissona (Italy) which sends the empty
cans, the card board boxes and other necessary raw materials, all in
temporary export. The Ethiopian (dovrebbe essere Eritrean Federal
Government !!!) Federal Government releases the temporary import
permits through a security deposit.
FABBRICA
SAPONE - LORENZO FANTOZZI - ASMARA
Since
its difficult inception this interesting industry slowly, but progressively,
transformed itself so as to present itself nowadays at a level of high
commendation not only for the laborious owner, but for the territory's
economical life as well.
The
product which the factory can nowadays place into the market - not only
the local one - has by itself all those merits which make of it a soap
greatly appreciated and of wide consume.
Besides
all, the vast number of eritrean workers which the plant can absorb
must not be forgotten, and this is a further merit of this industry
for the advantage of the local populace.
On
July 31st of the current year the plant was visited by the Chief of
the Government of Eritrea, who expressed his own admiration for this
further work of the italian labour.
"LABORATORIO
ARTIGIANATO ERITREO" - RUGGERO RAVASINI - ASMARA
The
owner is holder of the licence "Jewelry - Goldsmith - Watchmaker" shop
and laboratory and of the artisan licence " Eritrean Artisan Laboratory".
The sale premises, now compounded in a single shop, are at n. 32-34,
Avenue Haile' Selassie'.
He
dedicates himself to the artisan workmanship of gold and silver since
1945 and he gave an impulse to the creation of objects of local style,
suitable to the request of the international tourism. Expert of oriental
pearls, with the cooperation of Ali Nahari of Massawa he dedicates himself
to the gathering of the Read Sea pearls which on the european markets
are considered among the most beautiful.
The
Eritrean Government has willed to give him a recognition for his merits
by entrusting him with the task of Eritrea's gift to H.I.M. the Emperor
on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee: a gold and silver equestrian
statue of the Sovereign.
Since
1965 Mr. Ravasini manages the "Eritrean Artisan Laboratory" where also
prized woods, ivory, horns and mother-of-pearl are worked. Among the
woods, in the first place, Eritrea's wild olive, which is gathered from
the trunk died trough old age for hundreds of years, an heavy wood,
of compact fibre and aesthetically beautiful.
He
has introduced into this type of work the porcupine's bristles, obtaining
ornamental items of a beautiful effect, by now known as characteristic
only of Eritrea. He taught to exploit, for decorative ends, the hippopotamus
and the wild hog's tusks and among the prevailing objects are to be
remembered candle-holders, gongs, cigarette lighters, paper cutters,
etc. He gave a start to the cutting of the hard rocks - agate from the
Danakil Country.
It
is the only eritrean firm specialized in the collecting and valorization
of typical local objects.
INDUSTRIA
MAGLIERIA - ASMARA
The
initial difficulties overcome. thanks to the two administrators' tenacity
and with the investment of a conspicuous capital, Asmara now vaunts
another useful industry, whose production has nothing to envy to the
competition's articles, be they locally manufactured or imported.
With
six old-model machines and eight workers, this industry started to work,
as we have already mentioned, five years ago. Within this few years,
the machinery equipment has become modern. As a matter of fact the Firm
now has available 45 knitting machines, 6 coil winders, 15 refinishing
machines, 1 automatic ribbon machine, two vapour mangles.
The
manpower reaches a total of 130 workers and clerks, and 66 girls are
included among the workers.
The
daily production is of about 220 finished pieces (that is, pullover
garments, jackets for men and women, clothes, overcoats, "Juliet and
Romeo", children's whole garments, etc.), which brings the total to
about 5,000 pieces monthly, in a wide range of colours and designs.
The
Firm is planning the construction of a modern industrial plant, rationally
elaborated so as to quicken the services in favour of the production.
For this purpose a plot of some thousands sq m of land has already been
acquired, where within a short time the starting works for the building's
construction will start.
In
the future activity's program the production's increase, which is requested
not only by the Ethiopian Empire, but also by other countries such as
Sudan, Kenia, Rhodesia and South Africa, is prospected.
The
Chief of the Government of Eritrea has visited the Panesi - Gargano
factory during the last month of August, with eulogy to our two countrymen
for the praiseworthy activity which they carry on.
SALUMIFICIO TORINESE - S.A. - ASMARA -
The
Firm started its activity in 1943 in order to face the alimentary situation,
quite impoverished by the war period and for the lack of imports, soon
establishing itself for the products' bounty and the accurate manufacturing.
In
the following years, besides the local consume, the firm had the opportunity
to stipulate supply contracts both with the A.R.A.M.C.O. for Saudi Arabia
as well as with the British Administration , then in Eritrea.
So
as to supervise better the increased production rhythm and with the
purpose of getting in line with the most modern systems of european
processing, the Firm transferred itself to new and larger premises,
where it could modernly organize itself, importing from Italy all the
necessary machineries, hence installing that which nowadays can be considered
the most modern and best equipped Pork Factory throughout the Ethiopian
Empire and the nearby Countries.
Being
and Industry typically based on the processing of raw materials grown
and bred locally (swines and bovines), whose production requires a particular
care and selection, is has been necessary to make own breeding sites
distributed in different zones of Eritrea.
Presently
the Industry has available over 1,200 swines and 200 bovines which follow
a periodic cycle of felling and of regeneration.
Since
the above mentioned property cattle does not, on regeneration, satisfy
the total request for swines, the Industry avails itself also of other
local breeders while for the bovines if avails itself of Asmara's Market.
The Salumificio's products are mainly based on the typical italian production.
Two thirds of the local consume are today covered by the Salumificio's
products. The sales organization is in a position to provide to the
supply of all the centres of the vast Empire, so that the products which
are to be found at Asmara and in Addis Ababa, can be found also at Dire
Dawa, Harar, Djimma, Gondar, etc.
50%
of the production is also exported to the nearby countries, such as
Aden, Djibouti, Khartum, Nairobi, utilizing mainly - for these shipments
- air services.
Completing
the products of its own production and with the purpose to satisfy the
clientele's requests, the Industry has also taken up the sole agency
for the marketing of the dairy products of the Casciani's Dairy Factories
of Elaberet and of the Zootechnical Consortium of Asmara and, so as
to have a quite complete assortment in so far as cheese is concerned,
it also imports from Italy several typical products, not manufactured
or produced locally.
INDUSTRIA
MIELE MILANI - ASMARA
The
Industria Miele Milani has two fundamental merits: that of having been
the first industry of the kind in the territory and that of having reached,
after a long experimental phase, the demonstration of the optimal possibilities
existing in the country for a rational apiculture.
This
activity can be considered to have been founded about 18 years ago by
the apiculturist Pietro Milani.
After
about eight years, that is, after having acquired a personal experience
concerning the real possibilities offered by apiculture, the old apiculturist
started a rational breeding which required novel methods due the climate's
diversity, seasonal cycles, bees' behavior in their nutrition, in their
development, in their reproduction and in their diverse attitudes: for
which the italian experiences of Mr. Milani served just as a basis to
a study and to an absolutely different adaptation.
As
a matter of fact, the apiculture of the eritreans, prevailingly practiced
in the zones situated at a medium altitude - that is, at least at 1,000
metres below Asmara's altitude - retains the ancient character of family
breeding with a scarce and low-quality production of honey; production
which had dissuaded whoever else dedicated himself to this type of activity.
Instead, after three years of researches and experimentation, the Industria
Miele Milani succeeded in obtaining as much as 190 kg of honey from
two families of bees: more than a record production if it is considered
the european average, notoriously of 20-25 kg per bee family.
To
reach these results the apiculturist has, among the other things, created
an all-special beehive, thicker in the wooden partitions, and smaller
than the standard ones used in Italy and elsewhere. This special beehive
is able to attenuate the effect of the sudden temperature's variations
and, with the so-called hot-honeycomb internal arrangement, it gives
an almost constant ambient's conditioning, even in the night and during
the rigid winters.
New
life conditions, to which, by groups the bees have been educated, have
been created. Their nourishment has been directed toward the eucalyptus'
flower, abundant in the highlands from January to June, and hence suitable
to give a constant type of production, while from July to December,
as here the bees do not undergo lethargy, the nourishment is directed
toward a selected seasonal flora.
Once
reached a constant production, of optimum quality and with several hundreds
of beehives, Pietro Milani has moved over to the commercial organization
for selling the honey, the liquid one in jars and the solid one in loaves
and canned.
This
marketing has gradually taken over the internal market with particular
reference to the european consumer, formerly forced to mistrust the
local product, unrefined, not centrifuged and with a distasteful smoke'
smell.
After
another period of experimentation, in 1954, the Industria Miele Milani
could introduce in commerce other two products: the hydro-honey, alcoholic
beverage rated at 11o, of an agreeable taste and similar
to the "marsala" wine under many aspects and to the local "tec" for
some other aspects; and the "Gele' Royal", the energetic cure, among
the most efficacious, which has been experimented by several hundreds
patients with immense benefits.
In
the Industria Milani pollen too is gathered, requested in Europe by
many firms for the manufacture of cosmetics besides than for nourishment,
as the pollen contains a remarkable quantity of vitamins.
The
same Industry is also equipped for the manufacture of implements for
apiculture.
E.C.C.E.
S/A - CENTRALE DEL LATTE - ASMARA
Born
in 1941, with an installation partially fabricated in Eritrea, so as
to face the population's needs in the war period, the Centrale del Latte
has continually improved and developed its own installations, with the
purchase in Italy, England and Germany, of modern machineries (pasteurizers,
freezers, bottle filling machines).
From
the Centrale del Latte, which works through a municipal tender and which
is supplied by the Eritrean Zootechnical Consortium, 4,500 l of pasteurized
and bottled milk are produced daily, directed mainly to the centres
of Asmara and Massawa, to the hospital and various institutes while
the remnant goes to the Kagnew Station for the american personnel on
duty in Eritrea, for whom as of recent a purchase contract has been
signed.
On
June 1st the Centrale del Latte, by now with its new equipment and very
modern installations, has been visited by HE the Chief of the Government
of Eritrea and by the country's major authorities.
The
Centrale del Latte, which gives work to about 40 workers and 5 italian
technicians, has own transportation means and workshop.
MAR
ROSSO S/A - MASSAWA
Constituted
in 1950, this Society by now linked with the vaster commercial organization
of the Fratelli Casciani, in particular dedicates itself to the production
of fish-flour for fodder and, an a minor scale, to the gathering of
the "trocas" and of the mother-of-pearl.
All
of this Firm's production is exported to the markets of Germany, Switzerland
and, in greater quantities, of Israel.
The
fish-flour of the S.A. Mar Rosso reaches a yearly production varying
between 20,000 and 30,000 q, as related to the results of the fishing
season which lasts from 6 to 7 months.
The
Society employs - besides that, indirectly, numerous fishermen which
supply it of raw material - about 70 eritrean workers and 3 italian
technicians.
PRODEMAR
S/A - FABBRICA DI BOTTONI DI MADREPERLA - ASMARA
Constituted
in 1944 for the working of "trocas" and mother-of-pearl buttons, the
Society has available a productive capability of 30,000 gross, actually
reduced to 7,000.
The
workers employed reach the number of 70. During full working potential
the establishment employed up to 250 workers monthly.
The
employed raw material (trocas and mother-of-pearl) is fished exclusively
in the Red Sea by a fleet of fishing boats (sambuqs), which altogether
give work to about 1,000 eritrean fishermen of Massawa. The buttons'
industry in Eritrea has so perfected itself so as to reach the point
to be able to compete with the european industry. The capitals of this
industry are entirely italian. However, this product is not easily marketable
for a complex of economical factors insidious toward the production's
development, besides the competition of similar and more economical
products, even if of an inferior quality.
I.F.A.
- ISTITUTO FARMACOTERAPICO AFRICANO - ASMARA
The
medical products are marketed in the internal market, while those from
fishery on various foreign markets (North Europe, Middle East, Ceylon,
Congo, Italy).
ETHIOPIAN
ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT LTD. - MASSAWA -
Following
the association of the two Societa' Anonime, Impresa di Costruzioni
Sebastiani and Cantiere Navale Sebastiani, the "Ethiopian Engineering
Development Ltd." ensued in 1955, with the purpose to continue the work
of the ceased Societies, which had already affirmed themselves in the
field of naval and maritime constructions. Head of the Society is the
countryman Eng. Aldo Brunello and it has the purpose to supply assistance
to the ships in the harbour, offering an optimum naval yard. Indeed
E.E.D. is in particular suitably equipped for mechanical constructions
related to its own specialty, for the installation and revision of fixed
and nautical Diesel engines, for the construction of harbours' and industrial
installations. Its own organization allows it to deal out a precious
assistance to those ships in transit at Massawa.
The
social capital is of Eth. $. 35,000. The employed capital is of Eth.
$. 250,000. The annual business volume is of about Eth. $. 500,000.
The number of the employed european workers if normally of 15 persons
while that of the eritrean workers is, on the average, of 60.
The
following can be particular reference data: actual hauling capability:
up to 600 ton displacement; average ships repaired every year: n. 18;
equivalent SL (SL abbreviazione per ???) 6,500 ton; the ships
provenience is disparate: the Yard serve ships of Ethiopia, Sudan, Saudi
Arabia, Yemen, Israel and other fleet in transit at Massawa harbour.
The society is planning the building of new workshops and of a dry dock
for ships up to 2,000 tons tonnage.
FOUNDRIES
Following, Asmara's two main foundries, property of
our countryman, are indicated:
-
Fonderie Eritree di Zacche Mentore - Asmara
-
Pantano e Schiavi - Asmara
Various
are the typographies of property of our countrymen in Eritrea. Undoubtedly
the most important is that heading to the "Societa' Anonima Corriere
dell'Eritrea" which publishes, among other things, the daily newspaper
"Giornale dell'Eritrea" in the italian language.
SOCIETA'
ANONIMA CORRIERE ERITREO - ASMARA -
This
Society is the proprietor of a typographical establishment in Asmara,
located in property's building, as well as of a palace for dwelling
use, also this in Asmara.
The
Society, which constituted itself before the war, principally for the
publishing of a daily newspaper, practically ceased to carry out such
activity in the month of April 1941, with the requisition of all the
properties existing in Asmara, by part of the british occupying authority,
who entrusted the typography's management to the Custodian of the Enemy's
Property (C.E.P.).
The
typography was handed back to the Society on September 1952 following
the fact, which had been acknowledged in Paris, that it was a private
enterprise.
All
the Society' shares are in Rome, possession of a known juridical person.
The Society's patrimony can be evaluated to Eth. $. 150,000 and is constituted,
besides the immovable properties' by the typography's machineries and
equipment.
The
typography itself, when it was restituted by the C.E.P. in 1952, was
in an appalling working state, with machineries to be revised and without
characters and paper reserves. During these years of new management,
with the incomes derived from the typographical works, machineries have
been renewed through the acquirement of new machines and a good supply
of characters, paper and ink has been stored.
The
typography employees about 30 persons, clerks and workers, italians
and eritreans.
The
typographycal work is very accurate and appreciated by the clientele.
It can be said that it is the only typography which can provide also
to the exigencies of artistic publications. In addition to the printing
of the italian afternoon's newspaper, the typography also has a good
commercial clientele and during the past years it has printed school
text books in the amharic language for the Imperial Ethiopian Schools.
It is the sole typographical establishment in the Ethiopian Empire which
is qualified to print these books.
Following,
is the list of the other typographies:
Tipografia
Francescana del Vicariato Apostolico - Asmara
Tipografia Zuco
- Asmara
Tipogragfia G. Tringali
& F.lli - Asmara
S.A.T.E.G. (ex Fioretti)
- Asmara
Tipografia Bianchi
- Asmara
Tipografia Rivellini
- Asmara
CINEMA AND THEATRE INDUSTRY
Although
this industry has suffered a remarkable contraction and a tangible
functional receding adequate to the moment's necessities, it can
however be affirmed that the premises used as cinemas' show-rooms and
for public entertainment - almost all property of our countrymen - are
modernly equipped and they meet, under every aspect, the necessities
of the public more politely exigent.
Following
is the list of the cinema halls, managed by italian societies and enterprises:
Cinema
"IMPERO" - Asmara
Cinema "ROMA" -
Asmara
Cinema "CROCE ROSSA"
- Asmara
Cinema "CORSO" -
Massawa
Cinema "IMPERO"
- Assab
Cinema "IMPERO"
- Keren
The
italian societies distributing the cinematographical films in Eritrea
are the following: ASTRA (Asmara) and GENOFILMS (Asmara).
ITALIAN COMMERCE INDUSTRIES
We
have already hinted at the economical crisis which Eritrea is traversing.
It is worthwhile, here, to recall that which the President of the local
Chamber of Commerce, the countryman Raffaello Mangani - in the Members'
General Assembly of 27 March, 1960 - has related concerning the Country's
economical activities, in balance seat for the exercise January 1st
- December 31st 1959:
"The
new Government's decrees of the State Bank of Ethiopia, enforced on
September 1st, 1959, which exact the down payment of 100% of the value
of the single orders at the moment of requesting the currency exchange
permit for numerous categories of import merchandises, have caused a
remarkable contraction of the import's commercial dealings.
These
dispositions have stressed the already existing obligation for the importers
not to place any order for goods before obtaining the pertinent import
permit, a condition which was, until September 1st, very loosely applied.
In
virtue of the new restrictions, the State Bank has cautioned the importers
that such condition would have been literally applied, with no annulling
possibility, and henceforth, all the goods arrived at Massawa or embarked
priorly to the date of the release of the import permit, would have
been rejected and returned, together with the embarkation documents,
to the supplier.
The
Presidency has engaged itself concerning the numerous cases brought
forward by some importers, whose goods risk to be rejected as they are
not in order with the import permits.
The
long conversation exchanged with the Bank's Managers and the attempts
to obtain a legitimation (sanatoria ??), at least for a part
of those cases for which the reasons for non-compliance presented some
sort of justification, haplessly have not brought to any favourable
result, given the absolute and uncompromising instructions received
from the higher competent Authorities of Addis Ababa.
Other
dispositions issued in the same period have also excluded from the release
of the exchange currency import permits some foreign commodities of
normal consume.
From
the reports of the State Bank of Ethiopia, published in the months of
September and November 1959, is indeed evident that the ethiopian currency
reserves have sustained a pointedly marked reduction, whose main cause
is to be sought in the reduction of the coffee's price on the international
markets.
From
the published data it appears that during the last two months the price
has fallen from 50 to 35 cents of US dollar per pound which, calculated
on an annual average of 41,000 tons of crops, it signifies a yearly
loss of about Eth. $. 34,000,00.
It
must be noticed that, during these last years, from a fifth to one eight
of the custom duties consisted in customs' proceeds from the export
of coffee.
The
disconfortable situation, due to this loss, has been softened, until
February 1959, by the State Bank of Ethiopia which has managed by withdrawing
from the reserves of foreign currency for an equivalent amount of Eth.
$. 25,000,000.
Between
30 June and 30 September the reserves have further diminished of Eth.
£. 15,000,000, - in a greater measure in respect to what happened during
the same period of the previous year - and it has been the too fast
and continuous reduction which, as from what appears from the reports
of the State Bank, has made necessary the measures suitable to stop
the output of foreign currency.
These
are the reasons adduced for the restrictions actually enforced, which
logically have caused the strong contraction of the import trade.
As
for what concerns the traders, the deposit of 100% - or more - of the
goods' value at the moment of the release of the import permit, has
strongly shaked all the category, because the movement of the single
capitals has been limited in such a way so as to markedly reduce the
imports' volume.
Hence
the solution has to be searched for in the direction to give to agriculture,
which of necessity will have to forcedly direct itself toward new products
to forward to the export, so as to be enabled to support the unfavourable
leaning of the coffee market.
It
is perceived that, for some export goods, the transportation cost from
Asmara to Massawa is seen to be higher than the cost of transportation
from Massawa to the mediterranean ports, with the latter including also
the transit rights through the Suez canal.
The
activity of the export marked as compared to 1953 has shown a greater
movement. It is indeed evident, from the State Bank's data, that, in
respect to 1958 Eritrea has exported in 1959 over 7,000,000 dollars
more. This is really reassuring because the increasing growth of the
exports will give a sound contribute to the solution of the serious
problem, already hinted at, of the foreign exchange."
Following,
is the list of the names of the national Societies and of the foreign
Firms represented in Ethiopia by italian commercial operators:
JEWELERS AND WATCHMAKERS
Fumis Giovanni -
Asmara
Gioielleria Cataldo
- Asmara
Orologeria Svizzera
- Asmara
Salek Alberto -
Asmara
Gioielleria Lo Po
- Massawa
PHARMACIES
The
following pharmacies are property of our countrymen and are managed
by italian technical personnel:
Farmacia Asmara
- Asmara
Farmacia Centrale
- Asmara
Farmacia Civile
- Asmara
Farmacia Hamasien
- Asmara
Farmacia Impero
- Asmara
Farmacia S. Giorgio
- Asmara
Farmacia I.F.A.
- Massawa
Farmacia Meresi
Mardeisio F. - Massawa
FLORICULTURE, SEEDS
AND PLANTS
The trade of plants and seeds is notably supplied by
specialized italian floriculturists. The principal Firms which particularly
interest us in this sector are the following:
Ditta
Chiarle Sebastiano - floriculture
Ditta Vincenzo Irtinni
- floriculture
Ditta Gennaro Irtinni
- floriculture
Ditta Ivo De Blasi
- floriculture
Ditta Ferruccio
Trevisiol - floriculture
Ditta Anna Rainone
- flowers shop
Ditta Pietro Favi
d'Ispica - seeds
Consorzio Agrario
dell'Eritrea - seed
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...................................[Translated
from Italian into English by Franco Dell'Oro]
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