Ethiopia, US Keen to Open New Chapter in Economic Partnership

Addis Ababa  June 26/2018 Ethiopia and United States have expressed their disere to open a new chapter in their commercial relationship in their discussion held today in Addis Ababa. Foreign Affairs State Minister, Aklilu Habte-michael and U.S Under Secretary of Commerce Gilbert Kaplan expressed today their countries' desire to enhance economic ties during a discussion held between the U.S delegation and Ethiopian officials. Foreign Affairs State Minister, Dr. Aklilu Habte-michael said that Ethiopia needs a paradigm shift in its economic relationship with the United States. “We want a new paradigm shift in our business and investment relations with the US. We would like to see all of you present today and many more US businesses to be active players to further enhance commercial engagement between Ethiopia and the US,” he said. The trade relationship between the two countries is limited to the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), which the US allows developing countries export duty free items. The State Minister said that Ethiopia is keen to properly utilize this opportunity and expand the trade relation beyond the AGOA framework. In this regard, Aklilu called up on US companies to use the opportunity and invest in Ethiopia. US under Secretary of Commerce, Gilbert Kaplan expressed his country’s keenness to have a new chapter of economic relationship with Ethiopia. “We are here to held a new era in US-Ethiopia Commercial relations; this event will providing pivotal role in identifying the priory projects, discuss on how to improve the business column and identify projects where US technologies can boost the economy,” he pointed out. Lauding Ethiopia’s step towards opening public companies to investors, Kaplan said that US companies are interested to participate in the diversification of the Ethiopian economy.