Faisal Zahid Malik appreciates resolute coop of Ethiopian Ambassador with Pakistan Govt
Business environment in Ethiopia is highly impressive and it is high time for Pakistani business community to reap the fruits of the investor-friendly policies, which are designed by the Government of Ethiopia to welcome and support foreign direct investment.
This was a key takeaway from a meeting between the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, Mr. Faisal Zahid Malik, and H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Mr. Faisal called on the Ambassador at the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, where the two sides discussed various matters of mutual interest. Their conversation mainly focused on the growing cooperation between the two nations, the vital role of media and the business community in strengthening these relations, and the comprehensive economic reforms being undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia.
Mr. Faisal appreciated the resolute cooperation of the Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad with the Government of Pakistan, the business community, the media, and civil society, emphasizing that such efforts are essential for creating awareness and bringing the two nations closer. The Ambassador, welcoming the Chairman to the Embassy, commended the role of Pakistan Observer in promoting bilateral relations between Pakistanand and Ethiopia.
“These ties are on an upward trajectory, marked by the opening of the Ethiopian Mission in Islamabad, the commencement of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Karachi, and the signing of crucial agreements in trade, investment Ethiopia is a Strategic Gateway for Pakistani Investment,” Ambassador Dr. Oumer H. Oba said.
Ambassador Dr. Oumer highlighted the proactive approach of the Ethiopian Embassy, underscoring the initiatives it has launched to promote trade, investment, and cultural and educational exchanges. He emphasized that Ethiopian Airlines has been instrumental to support the “Look Africa” and “Engage Africa” policies of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, effectively positioning Ethiopia as the primary gateway to the continent for the government and people of Pakistan.
The Ambassador stated that efforts were underway to expand Ethiopian Airlines operations in Pakistan to further enhance connectivity. He added that the Embassy is also striving to work out a visa-on-arrival policy to facilitate stronger business-to-business and people-to-people ties.
He further briefed Mr. Faisal on the homegrown economic reforms that have yielded promising results in Ethiopia, successfully addressing macroeconomic imbalances, increasing productivity, and fostering a conducive environment for foreign direct investment.
“Ethiopia is not only an investment destination for the business community of Pakistan, but a real gateway to Africa. Whatever you produce in Ethiopia can be easily sold across the continent,” the Ambassador said, highlighting the duty-free movement of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
He noted that the recent Single Country Exhibition of Pakistan held in Addis Ababa recently was another significant milestone, drawing participation from over 400 businessmen from Pakistan and up to 1,000 from Ethiopia and Africa.
“The investment-friendly policies are in place, connectivity is increasing, and our political relations are entering a new phase. I believe it is high time for the Pakistani business community to enter the Ethiopian market and reap the benefits of our extraordinary investment landscape, abundance of resources, cheap energy, skilled labour, and strategic position,” the Ambassador concluded.
