4.1 Urban Economy and Role of the Town

The town serves as agricultural production center of groundnut, sesame and commerce center. There are 73 retail trades; 11 service trades and six fuel stations in the town. One financial institution i.e. Benishangul-Gumuz Microfinance gives service in the town.

 

The annual revenue of the municipality in 2012 was 500,000 birr and the major sources of revenues were property tax, income tax, rent and service charges. The major investment opportunities in the town are: housing development, trade, agro-industry processing, hotel and tourism.

 

Bulen has economic linkages with the surrounding areas, Bahrdar, Assosa and Addis Ababa. The town gets grain products, livestock supply, natural resources (fuel wood, charcoal), construction materials, surplus labor and financial institution from surrounding area and itself while agricultural inputs, manufacturing and commercial products from Bahrdar, Assosa and Addis Ababa.  

 

4.2 Social and Municipal Services

Social services

Education

There are one government kindergarten, two government junior secondary schools, one senior secondary and one preparatory school in the town.   

 

Health

Regarding health services, there is one private clinic, three private pharmacies, one government health center and one government hospital in the town.

 

Municipal services

Bulen town has meeting hall, ambulance and public library. The town has general and cattle markets meeting twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays while daily market is available in all days except Wednesday and Saturday. Solid waste is collected by individuals and disposed in open dump site.

There is one church for Orthodox Christians, one for Protestants and a Mosque in the town. Trees are planted along street.