Bangladesh expresses interest to boost economic cooperation with Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, September 14, 2022 (FBC) – In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Shahriar Alam said Ethiopia and his country have many things in common so that they can bolster partnership in multifaceted areas.
Ethiopia has registered exemplary results in social, political and economic spheres over the last years, he said. He added the re-election of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has given Ethiopia a renewed energy to accelerate its development endeavors in all areas.
“Ethiopia is a diplomatic and political capital of Africa and a gateway to the continent in all aspects and that is why we set up our embassy in Addis Addis Ababa six years ago.”
State Minister Shahriar Alam appreciated Ethiopia’s role in UN peacekeeping missions to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Saying that he first came to Ethiopia eight years ago, Shahriar Alam commended the changes in the country in all development sectors. He also appreciated the ever growing capacity and role of the Ethiopian Airlines in connecting Africa with the rest of the world.
Ethiopia has opened up its market, and has been attracting foreign companies from various areas of the world including Bangladesh businesses.
“Two of our very large textile companies have invested in Ethiopia. Since our country has a better experience in the areas of textile which dominated 80pct of our export, we are working to further explore opportunities in Ethiopia in this sector.”
Ethiopia has all the enabling atmosphere to champion in the textile sector and many other areas of engagement. “I believe that more investors will flock into Ethiopia because the country has a facilitating conducive environment.”
“We are registering better results in the pharmaceuticals sector and we want to tap the huge opportunity in Ethiopia in this sector thereby share our best expriences to the country,” he stated.
“Ethiopia’s climate is favorable for Horticultural production and Export, and our investors are interested to tap this immense potential in this country.”
Prime minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed has rolled out a philosophy based on open-mind and open market. And this measure taken by the Prime Minister has attracted companies from many countries including Bangladesh. And we are working to enable more Bangladesh businesses to enter the Ethiopian market, he noted.
On the other hand, we are finalizing preparations to host the Bangladesh-Ethiopia business forum where representatives of Ethiopian businesses will showcase their products. And this will help boost business-to-business interaction between the two countries, he underscored. Bangladesh is very interested in broadening areas of bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia, he added.
“Historical accounts in our country indicate that the relationship between Ethiopia and Bangladesh dates back to more than 700 years because we had two Ethiopian kings who ruled Bangladesh.”
“Our two countries signed the first political agreement and held the first ever foreign office consultation in 2019 and we are going to arrange the second one very soon.”
“Bangladesh is looking forward to signing an agreement with Ethiopia on visa waiver for diplomatic and business trips and in avoidance of double taxation to promote trade and investment ties.”
“Bangladesh has made a request to the Ethiopian Airlines for a direct flight service because our citizens are currently making frequent travels all over the world, and this helps us to realize better connectivity with Ethiopia and Africa at large,” the State Minister added.