Photo taken on July 13, 2016 shows the Hawassa Industrial Park in twon, 275 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Hawassa Industrial Park, the largest specialized apparel and textile park in Africa, constructed at a cost of 250 million USD was officially inaugurated here on Wednesday. The industrial park was constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) within nine months. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Saturday paid a visit to textile and apparel manufacturing companies inside Ethiopia's flagship Chinese-built Hawassa Industrial Park.

Afwerki, who arrived in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Saturday, headed to the southern city of Hawassa soon after attending a welcoming reception at the Ethiopian national palace hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Mulatu Teshome.

According to Fitsum Arega, chief of staff of the Ethiopian Prime Minister's office, Ahmed said "Hawassa, an emerging industrial base, is a symbol of Ethiopia's national enterprise."

Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki warmly welcomed by Abiy Ahme, prime minister of Ethiopia at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on July 14, 2018 for his official visit to Ethiopia after more than 20 years stay in border conflict with Ethiopia. (Xinhua/ Michael Tewelde)

He also noted the need to cooperate towards a better future for the two countries, saying "together, Ethiopia and Eritrea will work to realize the immense potential of our two nations."

Hawassa Industrial Park, which the Ethiopian government considers as a model for the construction of other industrial zones across the country, has proved successful immediately after its inauguration in July 2016, mainly by attracting various world-class textile and apparel companies to the country.

The industrial park was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The Ethiopian government has previously disclosed its plan to generate close to 1 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue from the park once it starts operations at its full potential.

The park has also attracted various African leaders upon their visit to Ethiopia, the latest of whom being Rwandan President Paul Kagame who visited the park in May.

Workers go about their work at the Hawassa Industrial Park in Hawassa twon, 275 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)