BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Wednesday that the Belt and Road Initiative, as one of the largest infrastructure transition programs, facilitates integration and sustainable growth.
Currently, China-Africa relations have grown exponentially and are characterized by commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation and respect for sovereignty, he said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation and Road Initiative, these relationships enable infrastructure development across Africa and help improve trade within the continent and with China.
Large-scale investments in infrastructure and strengthening trade ties have boosted the continent’s economic development, Ahmed said.
Given the rapidly growing population, there is a great need for sustainable and dignified development on the African continent. The Belt and Road Initiative’s investments have created many jobs and improved living conditions, he said.
The Prime Minister mentioned that road and rail projects connect previously separate places and that people-to-people relations both within and between countries are improving under the initiative. End