According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while attending an investment forum in this city, considered the main center of this activity in the Asian country, Mekonne invited local companies to seize the best opportunities in Addis Ababa.
He stressed the solid ties between the two countries and that they need to keep expanding in the economic sphere in front of the more than 300 investors dedicated to manufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy and pharmaceutical industries, among others.
For his part, Guangzhou Commerce Sector Director-General Zhao Chin said many companies in manufacturing, infrastructure construction, mining, telecommunications and other sectors are interested in entering and working in Ethiopia.
The gross domestic product (GDP) of this Chinese province is more than $1.8 trillion (one trillion equals one billion dollars), making it the first among the country’s 32 provinces, and the total output has reached more than a billion dollars, the said Source.
Mekonnen and a high-level delegation arrived in Beijing on May 25 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, the Qin Gang, and ended this Sunday.
The agenda included the inauguration of the new Ethiopian embassy and residential building in the Chinese capital, as well as various meetings with officials to strengthen cooperative ties.
Thus, the meeting with the director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (Cidca), Luo Zhaohui, took place, during which the Ethiopian Vice Prime Minister praised the financial and other types of aid provided by the Asian country based on the principles of mutual benefit.
For his part, Zhaohui reminded that Ethiopia is not only a great partner but also an influential country in Africa that deserves the necessary support in areas such as agriculture, education and river development, among others. Cidca is a foreign aid organization to better coordinate and impact China’s aid programs.
Another important meeting was held last Thursday with Vice President Han Zheng to discuss current cooperation between the two countries and interest in expanding the trade sector.
Mekonnen thanked the Asian giant for its strong support in restoring peace in Addis Ababa and expressed his government’s willingness to help implement Chinese initiatives, the local foreign ministry quoted as saying.
Zheng welcomed the African nation’s support for Beijing in safeguarding fundamental interests, saying they are willing to work together to build a high-quality Silk Road, expand practical cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges.
rgh/nmr