According to the embassy of Ethiopia in Djibouti, “appraisals have not been analyzed in the last four decades and, therefore, do not respond to the current behavior of supply and demand, among other variables, therefore the agreement, described as succesful, must include readjustment of all the amounts of fruit and vegetables.

As trade and investment between the two states grow, mechanisms are needed to regulate and optimize it, and the meeting is part of the governments’ purpose to frequently examine these activities, the statement says.

There were also significant advances regarding the quotas of Khat, a native plant to eastern and southern Africa, whose consumption causes euphoria and loss of appetite, although its production, sale and consumption are legal in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and other countries.

Regarding the Border Trade Agreement, delegations of experts from both countries will soon begin a debate process to define various details and renew their application.

The sessions of the Technical Committee “served as a follow-up to the 16th Ministerial Commission,” held in Ethiopia in October 2022, and the agreement “marks a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between Ethiopia and Djibouti.”

jrr/llp/lam/raj