Addis Ababa: A half-day conference aimed at strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Ethiopia and Jiangsu province of China was held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Negus Kebede, the Director-General of Middle East, Asia, and Pacific Countries Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the significant role of Chinese companies from Jiangsu Province in Ethiopia’s economic transformation.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ambassador Negus reiterated Ethiopia’s dedication to deepening its cooperation with Jiangsu Province to achieve mutually beneficial economic interdependence and long-term prosperity. He invited more enterprises from Jiangsu to explore the abundant opportunities Ethiopia offers.
Deputy Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zinabu Yirga, assured that the Commission is committed to facilitating a seamless investment process by offering a conducive business environment with transparent regulatory frameworks and robust support systems. He highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic sectors for investment, including manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, mining, and ICT, and urged Chinese investors to explore these vast opportunities.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Chen Hai, acknowledged the immense potential for cooperation between Jiangsu and Ethiopia. He expressed the Embassy’s commitment to continue promoting friendly cooperation for the benefit of both countries’ peoples.
Si Yong, Director-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Commerce, noted that 77 companies from Jiangsu have already invested in Ethiopia across various sectors, including infrastructure and manufacturing. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening the partnership between Ethiopia and Jiangsu Province.
The conference, which showcased numerous trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia, brought together business communities from both countries. Jiangsu, recognized as one of China’s industrial and technological powerhouses, plays a leading role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With a GDP of 1.82 trillion USD in 2023, it ranks as China’s second-largest provincial economy, excelling in industrialization, innovation, and global outreach.