Zubari Qureshi
For most of the world September represents the end of the summer and beginning of the winter season, however, in Ethiopia, it is more than just changing of seasons. For them, it in fact ushers in a new year and fresh beginning. Therefore, every year on September 11, Ethiopia celebrates its new year. This year on Sept 11 too, Ambassador JemalBekerAbdula organized a reception at his residence to celebrate the Ethiopian ‘New Year 2016.’ Caretaker Minister for Commerce, Industry & Production DrGoharEjaz was the chief guest on the occasion. Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Dean of Diplomatic Corps AtadjanMovlamov, Ambassador of Morocco Mohammed Karmoune, former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry ZafarBakhtawari, South African High Commissioner MthuthuzeliMadikiza , High Commissioner of Mauritius RashidallySoobadar, diplomats from the African and the Arab nations also attended the new Year celebrations.
The reception was a colourful event indeed as yellow flowers signifying the end of a long dry spell had added extra beauty and freshness to the event.
While congratulating Ambassador JemalBekerAbdula and his team, interim minister for commerce thanked the host to make him realize that he was “seven years younger” according to the Ethiopian calendar. Within one year, Ambassador Jemal, you have achieved a number of milestones which are simply amazing, said the chief guest.
The Chief Guest also highlighted the promising trade prospects between Pakistan and Ethiopia particularly in agriculture and green energy. In these two sectors, Pakistan needs to learn a great deal from Ethiopia and enter into cooperation as well, he said. Dr. Ejaz also announced the opening of new Trade & Investment Offices in several African countries as part of the Look Africa Policy Initiative, aiming to strengthen economic engagement with African nations.Earlier while welcoming the guests Ambassador Jemal noted the Ethiopian New Year 2016 also marked the first year of the establishment of the first Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad.
This is a testament to the strengthening of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, he said. The Ethiopian government had announced the start of its diplomatic mission in Pakistan last year and Ambassador Jemal was picked by the Ethiopian government as its first ambassador to Pakistan. The major initiatives of the embassy in last one year include formal establishment of the embassy, visit of historic trade delegation of 75 Pakistani businessmen to Ethiopia in March, 2023, arrival of high-powered official and business delegation of 50 persons from Ethiopia in Pakistan in May 2023 and commencement of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Karachi and signing of agreements with Pakistan in the areas of trade, investment, science, and technology.
The ambassador thanked the people and Government of Pakistan for extending hospitality, generosity, and sincerity to him and the FDRE Embassy during one year.
He also explained the rationale behind the ‘New Year of Ethiopia’ saying, “Our calendar consists of 13 months, with 12 months comprising 30 days each and a 13th month consisting of 5 days. Every four years, this 13th month counts 6 days to account for a leap year. Hence, we find ourselves celebrating this public holiday on September 11, unless it is a leap year in the Ethiopian calendar, when we celebrate it on September 12.”
