The Pakistan-Ethiopia Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has convened its maiden meeting to mobilize the business community of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the 2nd Business and Trade Delegation to Ethiopia, scheduled for May 26th to 31st, 2024.
Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, presided over the first meeting of the council along with FPCCI Senior Vice President Mr. Saqib Fayaz.
The meeting was convened at the request of Ibrahim Tawab, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Karachi, who is also Chairman of the Council of the FPCCI. The meeting was attended by high-profile business persons from diverse sectors including agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, and ICT.
Addressing the maiden meeting, Ambassador Jemal Beker invited the business community of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to connect and build their network in Africa through Ethiopia which was a gateway to the African continent which is a future hub of business, trade, and investment opportunities.
“To this end, we have designed our 2nd Business and Trade Delegation to Ethiopia on the dates that coincide with the International Manufacturing Trade Fair in Addis Ababa where manufacturers from the whole of Africa will take part and put up their stalls to introduce and sell their products,” the Ambassador added.
According to the Ambassador, the 2nd Business and Trade Delegation to Ethiopia will include business forums, meetings with ministers concerned and high officials, visits to the industrial parks and top-notch tourist sites, and on top of that cultural nights in Addis Ababa.
On the other side, FPCCI Senior Vice President Mr. Saqib Fayaz said it was high time for the business community of Pakistan to enter and operate in Africa which offered enormous business and trade opportunities.
He urged the members of FPCCI to take part in the 2nd Business and Trade delegation to Ethiopia which would play a critical role in boosting the bilateral trade between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Chief Executive Officer, of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Zubair Motiwala, said there was a need for Ethiopia to diversify its trade goods and partnerships by exploring potential markets.
He proposed that the first two days of the 2nd business and trade delegation to Ethiopia should be dedicated to industrial park’ visits and practical engagements with the business community.
Ibrahim Tawab, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Karachi, lauded the socio-economic progress and development that he had witnessed during his first visit to Ethiopia last year in March and called upon the businesspersons to visit Ethiopia to explore its trade potential.
Source: FBC
