Addis Ababa, September 29, 2022 (FBC) – Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Atenafu, received copies of the credentials of Nayef Hapes, Ambassador of Kuwait to Ethiopia. Demeke Atenafu welcomed the Ambassador and emphasized the strong, long-standing diplomatic ties that have existed between Ethiopia and Kuwait since 1967 as well as the positive people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Demeke added that existing bilateral agreements on the avoidance of double taxation, investment promotion and protection, agricultural cooperation, and culture and tourism should be taken into consideration for further realization and implementation in order to strengthen and broaden the relationship.
He also commended Kuwait for hosting several Ethiopian employees and for supporting development projects through the Kuwait fund. In connection with this, he urged Kuwait to ratify the labor agreement, which would aid in the abolition of illegal immigration.
Demeke also discussed the lucrative incentives and prospects for investment in Ethiopia in the areas of agriculture, agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, industry, and banking that are now open to international investors. He forwarded an invitation to Kuwaiti businesspeople to invest in Ethiopia.
He also gave the ambassador of Kuwait an update on the situation in Ethiopia’s northern region, as well as on the government’s persistent peace efforts and the African Union-led peace process regarding the conflict with the TPLF. In addition, he outlined the Ethiopian government’s resolve to engage in African Union-led negotiations on any unresolved concerns relating to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The Kuwaiti ambassador emphasized Kuwait’s stance on supporting “African solutions to address African concerns.” He also underlined Kuwait’s readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia and to offer its assistance in specific sectors.