Addis Ababa, December 18, 2020 (FBC) – Ethiopian Embassy in Uganda launched a virtual business forum to promote Ethiopia’s leather and leather products to the East African market.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ugandan, Burundian and Congolese diplomats along with business associations, investors, and media outlets took part in the business forum held under the theme, ‘Ethiopia: Africa’s Global Force in Leather Production.
In her opening speech, Foreign Affairs State Minister Tsion Teklu said the leather industry is one of the priority sectors of the government of Ethiopia.
She said the attractive Ethiopian government incentives and opportunities created by ACFTA (the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement) would benefit East African investors.
Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, Alemtshay Meseret, on her part, highlighted the benefits of joining the Ugandan market, which is part of regional frameworks as COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and South Africa) and EAC (the East African Community).
One of the co-organizers of the forum and Secretary-General of the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association, Daniel Getachew, has also tabled a presentation on leather and leather products manufactured in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Airlines Area Manager in Uganda, Aziza Mohammed also briefed cargo and logistics services available at the airline.
Anne Nabaasa, Head of Commercial Diplomacy, Economic and Financial matters at Ugandan Embassy in Ethiopia underlined the importance of the forum and vowed to support similar initiatives.
Some members of the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association, including Natural footwear studio, Ker EZHI Ethiopia – Leather Manufacturing, Green Ethiopia leather, MuzzBig leather, and Lomi leather handcrafts have used the opportunity to promote their products.