Economic diplomacy one of Ethiopia’s major focus areas: Ambassador

Addis Ababa, November 17, 2022 (FBC) – The Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker, stated that economic diplomacy is one of Ethiopia’s current major focus areas.

During a press briefing in Karachi, Pakistan, the Ethiopian Ambassador said that Pakistan and Ethiopia share many aspects because of which the two countries have strong ties. Ethiopia is trying to further strengthen the relations.

Ambassador Jemal stated that Ethiopia is the land of coffee and it is the second most populated country in Africa after Nigeria.

“We are a founding member of the UN League of Nations. We have supported all those countries that have been colonised and have been supporting all those struggling for freedom,” he continued.

Shedding light on the shared values between Ethiopia and Pakistan, Amb. Jemal said, “We have a federal system [like Pakistan]. You have the Indus Valley Civilisation and we are also one of the oldest civilisations. Pakistan is critically located in terms of geography. Similarly, my country is very close to the Middle East, to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea.”

He said Pakistan and Ethiopia established their diplomatic ties in 1958. In 1973, Pakistan opened its embassy in Ethiopia and since then they have had cordial, brotherly relations, according to the report by DAWN.

Amb. Jemal said the focus of Ethiopia is now on economic diplomacy. There’s going to be an increase in trade between the two countries. Then there are the areas of construction, medical equipment and textiles that Ethiopia is concentrating on.

He informed the media that his is one of the cheapest countries and has chickpeas, oil and vegetables, etc, [for Pakistani markets to look into].

He said they’re also working on air service [Ethiopian Airline]. It will begin its operations in Pakistan from end of this year or beginning of the next year. Then there are the fields of technology, climate change and chamber [of commerce] that Ethiopia is trying to look at to improve the bilateral ties between the two brotherly nations.

Consul General of Ethiopia in Karachi Ibrahim Nawab was of the view that Pakistanis must visit Ethiopia because it has easy and accessible market, according to DAWN’s report.