In her welcoming remark at the Ethio Belgium business mission , Annelies Verstichel, Ambassador of Belgium to Ethiopia said that economic cooperation between Belgium and Ethiopia have expanded significantly in recent periods and Belgium exports items such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, plastic and chemicals and in return Ethiopia exports agricultural products such as coffee and floriculture.
Jointly hosted by Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, Belgian Embassy, Belgian and Luxemburg Chamber of commerce (CBL_ACP) , ministry of foreign affairs of Ethiopia, Ethiopian embassy in Brussels, and Ethiopian Investment Commission, the latest business conference is such a breakthrough in connecting businesses of the two countries.
In such a land mark event, senior government figures drawn from ministry of finance, industry and Ethiopian Investment Commission, representatives of business communities, diplomatic communities and invited dignitaries took part in the event.
In his welcoming address to the conference, Ahmed Shide, Finance Minister of Ethiopia said that Ethiopia with a country of exceeding 120 million people is undertaking a comprehensive macro-economic reforms which is instrumental to attract global investment to Ethiopia and he further underlines that Ethiopia is the biggest economy in the region registered a fastest economic growth both in Africa and globally and currently he said the government is embarked on carry out a private sector led economy with major objectives and source of economic growth.
The minister also called on Belgian investors to invest in Ethiopia where there exists massive opportunities in the likes of agriculture, ICT, Industry, logistics, digital marketing, mining and so on.
Ethiopia and Belgium shares a common vision to ensure sustainable development and economic transformation, said, Hassan Mohammed, state minister of industry from Ethiopia who also said that Ethiopia is undertaking fast industrialization through the ten years national development plan and home grown economic reform agenda thus calling the Belgian businesses to fully harness the investment potentials from Ethiopia.
Strategically located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia offers a vast market opportunity of well over 3 billion people within eight hours flight radius, remarks Zeleke Temesgen( PhD) Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission in his opening remark at the event that brought the Ethiopian and Belgium businesses together.
He further remarks that Ethiopia with fast growing population and dynamic workforce, it also offers a significant domestic market worth to consider and as a signatory of the African continental free trade area( ACFTA) and member of COMESA, Ethiopia is also a gate way to the broader African market complemented by sustainable , abundant, and clean energy resources and massive infrastructure investment that promotes easy entry to the Ethiopian investment climate.
The “Belgium Luxembourg Economic Mission to Ethiopia” is one of the momentous events to connect businesses from Ethiopia and the Benelux, two strong allies from Africa and Europe respectively, applauds Zekarias Assefa, A/Secretary General from Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations in his keynote address to the event.
Mr. Zekarias also reiterates the commitment of Addis Chamber to work to enhance business and investment ties with foreign companies through organizing business networking events in the form of business to business meetings and business missions to various countries and in the meantime calling upon business communities of both sides to refresh potentials and resources to make use of the opportunities laid out in B-to- B seminar as part of enhancing the trade and investment partnership.
Subsequent to the keynote address delivered by high profile dignitaries, a business to business platforms are hosted to connect Belgian business with Ethiopian counterparts for the possible joint business and investment.
It is also learnt that the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with CBL-ACP , the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Belgium, Luxembourg, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (CBL-ACP), an international non-profit association dedicated to strengthening trade relations between member companies, foreign companies and the relevant authorities.
Addis chamber president Mrs. Zehara Mohammed and more than 100 member companies of the chamber have participated the event.
