ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Ethiopia Jamal Beker Abdula has informed that around seven to ten agreements pertaining to trade promotion, political consultations, defense cooperation, aviation, technology transfer and others will be signed with Government of Pakistan within this month or next which would effectively connect two countries and prove favourable for economies.

“Ethiopia is ready to welcome you in trade, investment and tourism etc. and we are ready to assist and facilitate trade by efficiently removing trade barriers. We need to work together and my country is very clear on improving trade and investment ties with Pakistan”, he said while exchanging views at a meeting during visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala,

President KCCI Muhammad Tariq Yousuf, Senior Vice President Touseef Ahmed, Vice President Haris Agar, Former President Majyd Aziz, Khalid Tawab and KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present on the occasion. He said that Ethiopian Airlines, which has been flying to 127 destinations will soon be flying to Karachi as well and crew of airline was ready. Business communities will have to come forward and navigate so that trade and investment ties could be taken to new heights. He announced Ibrahim Khalid Tawab as Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia in Karachi to bridge gap between business communities of two friendly countries.

Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala stressed need to create a win-win situation between Pakistan and Ethiopia. Countries must focus on improving people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. Referring to ‘Look Africa’ programme initiated by government, he said that purpose was to diversify Pakistan’s exports which remain mostly confined to US and EU. President KCCI Muhammad Tariq Yousuf said that trade between Pakistan and Ethiopia was very low. There is need to look into possibility of removing trade barriers with a view to promote bilateral business between two countries. 

Ethiopia has been importing a lot of items from India and China which can also be provided by Pakistan particularly textiles and pharmaceutical products. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 18 2022

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