Islamabad – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the kyrgyz Republic have agreed to expand their economic and trade cooperation for further strengthening the bilateral relations.
Both sides identified various areas of cooperation such as trade, investment and aviation during a meeting between H.E. Dr. JJemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the FDR Ethiopia to kyrgyzstan with residence in Islamabad, and H.E. Sanzharbek Bolotov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
During the meeting, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker noted that the bilateral relations of Ethiopia and Kyrgyzstan are gradually improving due to strong commitment shown by the two countries’ leadership for strengthening their ties.
He underlining the need for establishing robust institutional linkages between the two countries which would be instrumental in enhancing the bilateral trade between the two countries.
The Ambassador briefed the Minister about the Home Grown Economic Reforms which were carried out in the FDR Ethiopia in two phases to address its macroeconomic imbalances, increase productivity, attract foreign direct investment and create a large number of job opportunities.
As a result of these reforms, he said, the five major economic sectors including agriculture and agro processing, manufacturing, mining, tourism and ICT generate massive business, trade and investment opportunities.
He noted that Ethiopia is all set to become a manufacturing hub of Africa due to its comparative advantages such as cheap, clean, green and sustainable energy, skilled and young population, connectivity with Africa and whole world, and on top of that the lucrative incentives offered by the Government of the FDR Ethiopia for the investors.
It is high time for the business community of Kyrgyzstan to explore the Ethiopia which is gateway to Africa that is a market of over 1.4 billion people, he said, adding his country has railway lines, highways and airlines that connect Ethiopia with the rest of Africa and the globe.
On the other hand, H.E. Sanzharbek Bolotov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic appreciated the reforms Ethiopia is undertaking in different spheres, and expressed keenness to visit the FDR Ethiopia in next year.
He stated that the Kyrgyz Republic is looking forward to expand its cooperation with the FDR Ethiopia in various sectors including agriculture, aviation, tourism and ICT.
BY: The Times Union
