Staff Reporter
Islamabad
A high-power delegation from Ethiopia, led by Dr. Markos Tekle, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Misiganu Arega, State Minister for Trade and Industry and comprising of senior officials and businessmen, visited Ministry of Commerce for a meeting with Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile and officers of the Ministry.
The Advisor appreciated the warm, historic and brotherly relations between the two countries and expressed the desire to make the trade relations commensurate with the political relations. Ethiopian Ministers referred to the meeting held between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Ethiopian Prime Minister, on the margins of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum, in April 2019 in China and reiterated the desire to upgrade political, trade, commercial and people-to-people contacts.
Advisor on Commerce warmly reciprocated the sentiments of Ethiopian side and emphasized on boosting the existing trade ties. Areas of mutual cooperation were highlighted by both sides. Advisor on Commerce emphasized the export potential of Pakistan in sectors like Engineering goods, sugar, rice, agro-processed products, surgical, pharmaceutical and sports goods. Ethiopian Minister of Trade expressed interest in exporting pulses, black tea, high quality sesame seed and oilseeds to Pakistan. He also informed that they are working for the commencement of Ethiopian Air flights to/from Karachi and expressed interest in hiring of technical experts from Pakistan in the field of Engineering, pharmaceutical and IT sectors. Advisor on Commerce explained that Pakistan desires to make Ethiopia, being a member of COMESA, Head quarter of African Union and African Continental FTA, a hub for enhancing exports to Africa under Look Africa Policy, which was appreciated by the Ethiopian side.
Advisor on Commerce also announced, that Ministry of Commerce is opening a Commercial Section in Pakistan’s Embassy in Addis Ababa this year, to develop linkages between the businesses of the two countries. He elaborated the Look Africa Policy Initiative of the Ministry of Commerce, which calls for enhancing engagement and trade/investment relations with Africa. Ethiopian Foreign Minister welcomed the initiative and assured support for the newly opened office. He also announced that they are going to open their Embassy in Islamabad soon.
Both sides emphasized that in order to translate excellent brotherly relations into meaningful economic and trade cooperation, frequent engagements at G2G and B2B level coupled with trade promotional activities will be ensured. Both sides also agreed on removing impediments in the area of technical/ SPS regulations, visa facilitation and finalization of MOU on Trade Relations & Treaty for avoidance of double taxation.
