A. Besse and his company (Ethiopia) limited
A.Besse and his company, the pioneer of modern merchandise in Ethiopia, had involved in private import and export as well as wholesale and retail merchandising of industrial products.

This company had been importing and exporting as well as conducting wholesale and retail sales before the 1936 Italian invasion. The company had resumed its services starting from 1971 after the Italian invaders were ejected from the country.

The commodities which had been imported from abroad and distributed by the company can broadly be classified as:

• Building materials
• General merchandising products
• Food items
• Medicines
• Automobiles etc.

In addition to the importing and distributing of commodities, it had also been involved with agricultural products.

The Ethiopian Domestic Distribution Corporation (EDDC) was originally formed by the nationalization of the former A.Besse and his company, A.Besse affiliate companies and other small private companies in 1975.

At the time of its formation, EDDC took over 19 distribution outlets. By 1991, (EDDC) had expanded its operations throughout the country by establishing eight regional distribution bureaus and over 90 branches.

The Ethiopian Import and Export Corporation (ETIMEX) was formed during the Derge regime.

ETIMEX had run its duty opening its offices in Addis Ababa and Assab.

During the 18 years prior to their merger, the predecessors of MEWIT, i.e., EDDC and ETIMEX, had served the local market by having sales outlets in strategic locations throughout the country and distributing goods purchased from local and abroad.

Merchandise wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT) was established in 1993 by the merger of the former trading corporations, i.e. the Ethiopian Domestic Distribution Corporation and the Ethiopian Import Export Corporation.

The enterprise's long years of experience has thought it that for a business success managerial accountability to the customer's satisfaction is the important one. MEWIT confirms that no matter where a business is located in Ethiopia, it can provide fast and cost effective services.

MEWIT main activities include but are not limited to import and distribution of items such as building materials, general goods, food stuff, paper and stationery items, textiles, tyre and canvas. MEWIT also supplies distributes products on either credit or consignment basis in addition to acting as a commercial representative to various foreign companies.

MEWIT rents its multipurpose halls located at its head office for meetings and similar activities. It also rents warehouses along with well furnished offices in different parts of the country. MEWIT also renders weighbridge service at its head office and at Ethio-Sedar branch.

MEWIT has a total of 82 branch offices through out Ethiopia. These branches are classified in to three regional grous: Addis Ababa Commercial Departments (13 locations), Northern Commercial Departments (34 locations), Southern Commercial Departments (35 locations).

MEWIT's board of directors, which is appointed by the Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Authority, is the top managerial body to administer MEWIT.

To cope up with a competitive commercial environment, MEWIT is reorganized in a new management team, which comprises of: [click here for a full organizational structure chart]

• The General Manager
• Two Deputy General Managers
• Three Marketing Department Managers
• Two supporting Department Managers
• Five supporting Service Managers and two Offices.