Foreign Ministries of Ethiopia, Singapore ink MoU to establish bilateral consultations

Addis Ababa, June 6, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, held extensive discussions with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, in Singapore.

The high-level talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key international issues. This meeting was held concurrently with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s inaugural visit to Singapore, adding to the historical ties that date back to the 1960s when Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore conducted exchange visits, laying the foundation for our enduring relationship.

The bilateral meeting underscored the deepening ties between Ethiopia and Singapore, with both ministers expressing commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. Key agenda items included trade, investment, transport and logistics, technological exchange, and sustainable development.

During the foreign ministers’ discussion, FM Taye Atske-Sellasie emphasized Singapore’s strategic position as a global financial hub and its advancements in smart development, the digital economy, and technological infrastructure.

He highlighted Ethiopia’s growing economy and the potential for increased Singaporean investment in sectors such as manufacturing, smart mobility, urban development, smart agriculture, green development, technical education and tourism services.

In response, the Singaporean Foreign Minister reiterated Singapore’s interest in expanding its economic footprint in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia.

He praised Ethiopia’s efforts in creating a welcoming environment for foreign investors and expressed optimism about the future of Ethiopia-Singapore relations.

The discussions also covered international issues including multilateral cooperation. Both ministers agreed on the need for collaborative efforts to address global challenges and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to working together within international frameworks.

The two foreign ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations between their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs. This MOU aims to create more regular opportunities for the countries to exchange views on regional and global issues and explore new areas of cooperation. Additionally, a Statement of Intent was signed regarding a future cooperation on transport sector between Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics. This agreement is expected to enhance connectivity and facilitate mutual benefits in the transport sector.

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Singaporean businesses to explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia and expressed hope for more high-level exchanges between the two nations. Prime Minister Abiy’s official visit marks a significant step forward in Ethiopia-Singapore relations, paving the way for stronger economic and diplomatic ties.

Subsequently, both foreign ministers look forward to building on this momentum in the coming months, with further discussions planned to finalize additional MoUs and agreements.