Mesganu Arga, State Minister of Political and Economic Diplomacy at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was in charge of the presentation, expressed that Beijing firms should come and invest in agricultural processing, chemicals, fertilizers, and steel manufacturing, among other sectors. According to Arga, the aim is to strengthen the “All Climate Strategic Partnership” announced by President Xin Jinping and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the latter’s visit to China in October 2023.
He noted that Ethiopia has become a key investment destination for China as long as Beijing is an essential source of investment and a key trading partner for the African nation, which has much to offer in trade opportunities through the expansion of its industrial and economic free trade zones.
Upon reiterating that Addis Ababa is one of the leading and pioneering subscribers of the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa, the diplomat affirmed that his country seeks to promote cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, regional connectivity, trade, investment, and tourism, where Chinese enterprises can play a leading role.
jrr/iff/lam/nmr