ISLAMABAD: Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jemal Beker Abdula highlighted the potential for his country’s economic cooperation with emerging markets worldwide through its membership in BRICS.
During a roundtable discussion on “Expanding BRICS and the New Alignments,” in Islamabad, Ambassador Jemal emphasized that Ethiopia’s entry into BRICS would align with the nation’s ten-year development plan and the economic reforms initiated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Ethiopia, with the second-largest population in Africa, has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years, maintaining an impressive average growth rate even during the pandemic. Ambassador Jemal Beker stated that joining BRICS would create new opportunities for increased trade, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and infrastructural development.
Ethiopia’s Inclusion in BRICS
He also highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to diversifying its exports in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and information and communication technology (ICT).
Furthermore, he noted that with the inclusion of new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others, BRICS now represents a substantial portion of the global population and GDP, positioning it as an influential economic powerhouse.
Ambassador Jemal underscored Ethiopia’s significant role within the African Union, offering not only economic strength but also a deep understanding of regional dynamics to the group.
As the headquarters of the African Union, Ethiopia holds substantial influence over regional affairs and aims to become a hub of connectivity and manufacturing in Africa, providing BRICS with access to African markets.
He expressed optimism that BRICS expansion would promote south-south cooperation, driving sustainable socio-economic development worldwide and fostering collaboration in technology transfer, knowledge sharing, economic integration, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development among member countries.
Ambassador Jemal concluded by stating that Ethiopia’s inclusion in BRICS marks a significant milestone in the nation’s economic journey, promising increased global engagement, economic growth, and mutual development opportunities.
