An Ethiopia-China economic and trade forum opens in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, February 24, 2025 (FMC) — An Ethiopia-China Economic and Trade Forum opened this afternoon at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian foreign ministry reported.
The forum was jointly organised by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Regional Integration in collaboration with the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association (ECCSA) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of Middle East, Asia, and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Negus Kebede said, Ethiopia and China share a long-standing relationship rooted in mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision for development. The momentous gathering of Ethiopian and Chinese business representatives at the event not only reaffirms the strength of the longstanding bilateral ties but also paves the way for deeper economic engagement and shared prosperity.
The elevation of our relations to an All-Weather Strategic Partnership marks a significant milestone in our collaboration, reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to working closely with China in key areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, industrialization, and green energy, he noted.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, for his part said, Ethiopia lies in a strategic location in the Horn of Africa and is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. As China’s largest trading partner in the continent, Ambassador Chen stated, Sino-Ethiopian ties are defined by complementarity geared towards achieving tangible results in economic cooperation.
Vice Chancellor of CCPIT, Chen Jian’an, also said Chinese and Ethiopian companies need to work together closely to facilitate more investment and trade linkages in each other’s economies. Ethiopia’s BRICS membership laid a solid foundation for the relations between the two countries, the Vice Chairman mentioned.
Keynote speaker of the Forum, State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, citing the robust economic ties between Ethiopia and China called on the participants to strive towards further deepening business and investment ties and exploring new areas of economic cooperation.
She also renewed Ethiopia’s continued commitment to the All Weather Partnership Agreement to unlock the full potential of Ethio-Chinese trade and investment opportunities.
Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner, Zeleke Temesgen (PhD) stated that China has been Ethiopia’s key development partner. Ethiopia, he said, is one of Africa’s most promising investment destinations that Chinese companies need to take advantage of the cascaded homegrown economic reforms. Agriculture, manufacturing, mining and ICT among the earmarked sectors that Chinese firms could invest in, the Commissioner highlighted.
Vice President of ECCSA, Dr Aynalem Abayneh, also pointed out that ECCSA and CCPIT need to work closely to foster economic partnerships that translate into tangible benefits. Results oriented actions in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy, among others, will further solidify the longstanding economic partnership between Ethiopia and China, he added.