Azerbaijani Delegation Expresses Strong Interest in Economic Cooperation with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa January 15/2025 (ENA) Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen has met with a high-level Ministerial delegation from the Government of Azerbaijan in Addis Ababa today.

The delegation included senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Economy, as well as representatives from the Investment Holding of Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the Commissioner highlighted Ethiopia's investment opportunities in key priority sectors and outlined major reforms the government has implemented over the past six years to enhance foreign private sector participation to the economy.

He emphasized the comprehensive support services provided to foreign investors and the government's commitment to fostering conducive environment for international business operations in Ethiopia.

The Azerbaijani representatives for their part expressed a strong interest in enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Both parties recognized the potential for collaboration in advancing critical sectors of their economies and stressed the need to expand the legal framework to facilitate bilateral investments.

They agreed on the importance of organizing business events to promote partnerships between Azerbaijani and Ethiopian enterprises.

 

This visit is anticipated to be succeeded by a business delegation and forums in the coming months aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, according to the Commission.

Similarly, Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente welcomed a delegation led by Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yalchin Rafiyev, at his office today  to discuss opportunities for collaboration in agricultural development.

During the meeting, Minister Girma Amente  provided insights into Ethiopia's current agricultural status, emphasizing that agriculture accounts for one-third of Ethiopia's overall growth.

Girma explained that Ethiopia's agricultural exports could reach up to 80 percent in foreign markets highlighting the importance of agricultural products in Ethiopia's exports.

Despite being a leader in livestock numbers in Africa, Ethiopia faces challenges with low export rates and the need to increase the value of agricultural products for international markets.

The two countries aim to collaborate on livestock and human development, as well as in areas like horticulture, water and land management, digital agriculture, integration technology, and other agricultural issues through a forthcoming memorandum of understanding.