ADDIS ABABA: A delegation comprising more than 80 Pakistani traders, businessmen, investors and industrialists on Friday concluded their 5-day trip to Ethiopia on a high note, writing a new chapter in the bilateral ties between the two friendly states.
During their five-day visit, the Pakistani businessmen had successful meetings with the leadership of Ethiopia, senior officials of the country, Ethiopian Investment Commission and business community.
The 2nd Business and Trade Delegation took place as a follow up to the first business and trade delegation held in March last year. The delegation had a presence of the business community from diverse economic sectors of Pakistan including agriculture and agro processing, mining, manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology, construction, fertilizer, tourism, oral care, pulses and spices.
The 2nd Business and Trade delegation, designed by the Embassy of Ethiopia, included government officials and prominent industrialists and businessmen.
Chairman Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan, Zubair Motiwala, Presidents of Sialkot and Faisalabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abdul Ghafoor Malik and Dr. Khurram Tariq, respectively, President of Sundar Industry and Trade Association, Malik Azhar Ali, Former President of Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce Umar Ashraf, Forward Sports Director Khawaja Masood and Chief Executive Officer of AirSial Fazal Jilani were part of the delegation.
The Pakistani business community started their trip with a visit to the historical Adwa Victory Memorial which was followed by cultural night arranged by Foreign Ministry of Ethiopia. State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Mesganu Arega, was the chief guest on the occasion.
On the second day of their visit, they participated in a dedicated Ethio-Pakistan Business Forum which was launched by Birtukan Ayano, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chala G/meskele, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Aklilu Tadesse CEO of Industry Parks Development Cooperation and Hanna Arayaselassie, Ethiopia Investment Commissioner.
During the forum, the Ethiopian Investment Commission and Ethiopian Investment Holdings senior officials briefed the delegation on extraordinary trade, business, and investment opportunities in Ethiopia.
After the forum they had Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government meetings that enabled them to foster business links for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries.
The business community delegation also visited three industrial parks including Bole Lemi, Kilinto and Adama to witness on-ground business and investment opportunities in Ethiopia.
Moreover, they visited Ministry of Mining, the Information Network Security Administration, Ethiopian Investment Commission and International BIG 5 Construct Ethiopia Expo.
The trade delegation signed Memoranda of Understanding between the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Sundar Industry and Trade Association.
The objectives of the MoUs were to facilitate the industrialists and investors from Pakistan to make investment in Ethiopia’s diverse economic sectors including textiles, agriculture, sports goods and wear, fertilizer, leather and others.
