The first Ethiopia-Malta Business Forum kicked off today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) in collaboration with TradeMalta, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the event has drawn the participation of delegates including Ambassador Mesganu Arga, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as senior officials from EIC and other government institutions.
It is learned that the forum aims to facilitate Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking between Ethiopian and Maltese businesses. With an attendance of 30 Maltese and over 40 Ethiopian business representatives, face-to-face B2B meetings serve as a pivotal aspect of the event’s agenda.
In his remarks, State Minister Mesganu Arga recalled the visit by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Malta in February 2023 which laid a solid foundation for the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The State Minister mentioned the priority sectors for investment, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism and ICT.
He also recalled that the Government of Ethiopia has recently opened up telecommunications and banking sectors to foreign investors.
Ambassador Mesganu finally called on the Maltese investors to exploit the immense and lucrative business opportunities in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner, Ms. Hana Arayaselasie, highlighted Ethiopian huge investment potential and untapped resources while reminding that the country has embarked on economic reform to present itself as a suitable investment destination.
Maltese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ronald Micallef, for his part, stated that the business forum is a testament to the commitment of the two countries to further strengthen their bilateral ties.
