Dubai Chamber discusses trade ties with Ethiopian trade mission
Addis Ababa, 27 August 2014 (WIC) - A trade mission from Addis Ababa, led by Shisema Gebresilassie, head of the trade and industry development bureau of the Addis Ababa City Administration, is in Dubai.The delegation, which includes Elias Geneti, President of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations, met with Majid Al Shamsi, first vice chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday (August 24). Mr. Al Shamsi told the delegation that trade was vital for Dubai, an ideal business hub with excellent connections to markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Ethiopia is Dubai’s 77th largest trade partner globally and the total non-oil trade with the country grew by 32 per cent, from a value of Dh1.26 billion in 2012 to Dh1.66 billion in 2013. He said there were 318 Ethiopian companies operating in the emirate and he hoped this would increase the business communities come closer together.
He added that Dubai’s relationship with Ethiopia strengthened last year with the opening of its first African international office in Addis Ababa. This he said was helping to increase two-way business and investment between the two countries.
Ato Shisema said that the trade volume between Ethiopia and the UAE had increased by over 50 per cent since 2005, pointing out that Ethiopia offers immense investment opportunities and was seriously working at enhancing business ties for the benefit of both countries.
Ato Elias also pointed out that Dubai’s close proximity to Ethiopia, especially Addis Ababa, and easy flight connectivity were the main reasons for the existing bilateral ties between the two countries and these were helping Dubai to reach out to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The opening of the Dubai Chamber office in Addis Ababa was directly helping the building of business relations, making fruitful contacts and exploring newer areas of co-operation. He said Ethiopia was very keen to learn from Dubai’s model of attracting big global corporations and the organization of international trade fairs and exhibitions. (MoFA)
