A delegation of 76 Pakistani business companies, including prominent firms, will visit Ethiopia from May 26-31, 2024 as part of the second business and trade delegation to the country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Briefing the media today, the spokesperson of the ministry, ambassador Nebiyu Tedla said the visit aims to explore trade and investment opportunities.
He pointed out that the Pakistani trade and investment delegation plans to tour industrial parks in Bole Lemi, Qilinto, and Adama to gain a better understanding of potential investment avenues and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
Additionally, a three-day Ethio-Pakistan Business Forum will be held in Addis Ababa, organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the spokesperson added.
The business and trade delegation comprises representatives from various cities in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Sheikhupura.
This visit by the Pakistani business and trade delegation is a result of the economic diplomacy efforts undertaken by Ethiopia’s embassy in Islamabad.
Moreover, he added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent living abroad, have continued to support Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s “Clean Ethiopia” campaign.
The Ambassador stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set a target of raising 20 million birr for the “Clean Ethiopia” campaign and has thus far successfully collected 14 million birr.
Some Ethiopian community diaspora living in the UAE and the US have pledged to build 15 model public restrooms on their own, which is estimated to cost around 22.1 million Birr, the spokesperson added.
Ambassador Nebiyu also stated that the diplomatic community and international organizations based in Addis Ababa will be encouraged to support the campaign, further reaffirming that efforts to mobilize support for the campaign will continue.
The press briefing also covered the event of laying a cornerstone for the construction of the Ethiopian Embassy in Dodoma, Tanzania on 2.6 Hectares of land.
Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, had the honor of placing the cornerstone along with Tanzanian government officials and MPs.
The spokesperson additionally addressed the major diplomatic events that took place over the week.
About that, he mentioned the appointment of 24 Ambassadors by President Sahle-Work Zewde.
The Spokesperson stated that these appointments were made based on the appointees’ diplomatic competence and extensive experience – qualities that are essential to further advancing Ethiopia’s interests on the global stage.
On the other hand, he revealed that more than 27,000 Ethiopians were repatriated from Saudi Arabia over the past weeks.
It is to be recalled that the Ministry announced a plan last month to repatriate 70,000 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia.
Accordingly, a national committee composed of various government agencies was established to facilitate the repatriation process.
The Spokesperson said the established national committee has been working with pertinent stakeholders to return the Ethiopians and provide shelter upon their arrival in Addis Ababa.
He reiterated that the government will continue repatriating its citizens by conducting three flights a day for four days every week.
Source: ENA
