Canada vows to support Ethiopia’s holistic development undertakings

Addis Ababa, May 22, 2023 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, met with Minister of International Development of Canada Harjit Singh Sajjan, at his office earlier this morning.

Among others, the two sides discussed ways of further enhancing development cooperation between Ethiopia and Canada against the backdrop of strong, longstanding ties.

Demeke told Minister Sajjan that the Government of Ethiopia is striving towards effecting development both at home and in the Horn of Africa by fostering investment and trade policies as well as forging strategic partnerships conducive to regional economic integration.

He said the Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda and Digital Ethiopia 2025 are the pillars of Ethiopia’s transformative economic policy while capitalizing on youth job creation and women’s empowerment.

In this regard, Demeke said, international partners like Canada need to support Ethiopia’s development efforts and the ongoing peace consolidation efforts, as peace is the backbone of any development initiative.

The transitional justice, national dialogue and DDR processes need support and cooperation to be fully implemented and are stepping towards an integrated economic ecosystem suitable for potential investors in the agro processing, mining, manufacturing and tourism sectors, he said.

Ethiopia at the moment is focused on effecting the 2nd phase of the Home Grown Economic Reform Agenda, especially in the priority areas that are identified as key drivers of development such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism and renewable energy, Demeke noted.

The recent launching of the LT-LEDS and the continuous Green Legacy Initiative is also a demonstration of Ethiopia’s commitment to building a climate-change resilient nation while ensuring a conducive milieu for international investors & development partners, he said.

Sajjan for his part, noted the longstanding Ethio-Canadian development cooperation and vowed to continue the tradition.

He expressed the Canadian Government’s keenness to support initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity on top of improving food security.

He added that improvements in the agricultural sector in Ethiopia should be seen not only as food security efforts but also as economic opportunities that businesses from Canada could take part in.

The Minister reassured the DPM and FM of Canadian support not only in the consolidation of peace but also in holistic development undertakings.