Ambassador to take another trade delegation to Ethiopia

Islamabad: Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on Thursday announced to mobilise another trade delegation of Pakistani businessmen to Ethiopia by May-end this year for further strengthening business, trade and commercial connections between the two countries, says a press release.

Addressing the business community at Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), the Ambassador recalled the experiences related to the first-ever trade delegation mobilised by the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad last year in March. “We received overwhelming response to the first trade delegation which I called Hijra Trip to Ethiopia that enabled the business community of Pakistan to explore business, trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia,” the ambassador noted.

He said more than 75 businessmen participated in the first trade delegation to Ethiopia and got an opportunity not only to directly communicate with the high-level government officials but also businessmen from the major sectors. “I would like to urge every businessman in Pakistan to become part of our Hijra Trip II and contribute to the efforts of the Ethiopian Embassy in establishing strong trade relations and partnership between the two countries,” the ambassador stressed.

On the occasion, the Ambassador also highlighted extraordinary trade and investment opportunities offered by home-grown economy of Ethiopia in diverse economic sectors including agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, ICT and tourism. He said Ethiopia was producing cheap, clean, sustainable and affordable energy, exporting to its neighbouring countries including Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and others. Likewise, multiple incentives including one-window operation were introduced to facilitate the foreign direct investment in Ethiopia.

On the other hand, he said Pakistan also offered immense trade and investment opportunities to the business community of Ethiopia especially in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, fertilizer, chemicals, pharmaceutical, surgical equipment, textile, automotive and others. Speaking on the occasion, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh lauded the socio-economic development in Ethiopia during the recent past especially under the leadership of Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia. He expressed full support for the Embassy of Ethiopia in Islamabad for mobilizing the trade delegation being planned for May-end.