Ethiopian, Eritrean Chambers Pledge to Work in Partnership

Addis Ababa July 20/2018 Ethiopian and Eritrean chambers of commerce pledged to work in partnership to facilitate trade and investment ties between the two countries. The first ever Ethio-Eritrean trade and investment forum that deliberate on viable opportunities held in Asmara, Eritrea, on Thursday. The forum is aimed to identify potential trade and investment areas and enhance cooperation and partnership among the business community in both countries. Vice President of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association, Assefa Gebreyohannes said on the forum that it’s time for both associations to be a model in East Africa through cooperative work. In this regard, the business community in Ethiopian is ready to invest in Eritrea in the tourism sector and engage in import-export trade through ports in Eritrea. The Vice President urged the Eritrean government to facilitate the situation for the smooth engagement of the business community including introducing trade and investment policy. Eritrean Industrial Sector Head, Taddesse Woldeyohannes affirmed that the Eritrean government will address concerns of member of Ethiopian business community. He urged the chambers of commerce in both countries to work in cooperation to enhance the economic relationship between the two countries. As both countries are members of the Common Market for East and South Africa (COMESA), they have a huge opportunity for economic cooperation, he said. He also emphasized the need for both countries to seize this opportunity to enhance their economic cooperation. Concerns and issues that need further explanation from both sides to facilitate the Ethio-Eritrea economic cooperation have thoroughly discussed on the forum.