Qatari Business Delegation Holds Discussion with Ethiopian Counterpart

Addis Ababa  July 30/2018 A Qatari business delegation held discussion today with its Ethiopian counterpart about further strengthening economic relation and investment. The mission comprising 16 businesspersons held jointly business forum with officials of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations about investment opportunities. Delegation leader Hassan Khalifa B. Al-Mansoori, Executive Director of Export Development and Promotion of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), said on the occasion Qatar is interested to further strengthen economic relation and investment with Ethiopia since the country has huge economy in the African region where its strategic geographical location offers great business potential. The Executive Director said, “We support trade between countries; and this is one of the main initiatives that we are taking. We will exchange views on trade, import and export from Ethiopia to Qatar and vice versa.” According to him, the forum is instrumental in establishing new and sustainable business partnership. The countries can benefit if they jointly and vigorously realize common interests, he added. Foreign Affairs State Minister Aklilu Hailemichael said Ethiopia and Qatar have positive diplomatic engagement that has enabled the countries to sign agreements on the encouragement and reciprocal protection of investment as well as special passport holders. Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce Sectoral Association President Melaku Ezezew told ENA that the countries have been working to enhance trade and investment relations through exchanging business and trade information, trade fairs and business forum. Speaking about export-import of products, Melaku Ezezew stated that Ethiopia has been exporting agricultural commodities such as fruits and vegetables, flowers, live animal, meat and roses to Qatar. Qatar on its part imported commodities like urea, polymers of ethylene and petroleum, among others. The President further stated that the trade balance between the two countries shows that Ethiopia imported 173 million USD worth of goods from Qatar, and exported five million USD during the past ten years. Melaku added that trade exchange between Ethiopia and Qatar has reached close to six million USD in 2017.