ADDIS ABABA–Ethiopia has set to host an international conference on pulses and oilseeds on November 19-20, designed to strengthen trade ties and boost exports, Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration announced.
In a presser, Trade and Regional Integration State Minister, Yasmin Wohabrebbi said yesterday that Ethiopia’s export of pulses and oilseeds is growing each year, and the conference is expected to promote cooperation between Ethiopian exporters and their international counterparts from more than 22 countries.
Ethiopia is one of the top pulse and oilseed producing countries in the world although the export revenue from these agricultural products is not adequate despite recent developments, she highlighted.
Almost 6.3 million quintals have been exported within last three months and the amount of revenue is also substantial compared to the performance recorded last year in the same period, Yasmin said, adding that the government is strengthening quality controls to ensure global market competitiveness and generate more revenue from the sector.
Ethiopia produces a huge volume of beans and lentils, but, it is not the number one exporter of these crops because of quality issues and trade challenges. However, Yasmin mentioned that some countries are exporting Ethiopia’s products so that the country should facilitate direct exporting mechanisms for those recipients.
In this regard, she believed that the upcoming international conference would be an important platform to meet local companies with representatives from importer countries since hundreds of Ethiopian enterprises and businesses are expected to take part.
Ethiopian Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters Association President, Edao Abdi expressed that exporters have been struggling with trade challenges over the past times and they are now building better export capabilities facilitated by the macro-economic reform.
“This conference is set to be held amid the macroeconomic reform implementation allowing both local and foreigners to act with the better foreign exchange system. The private sector should utilize the opportunity provided by the government,” he suggested.
Edao also invited agricultural enterprises and foreign businesses in need of importing Ethiopian pulses and oilseeds to take part in the conference.
Sideline events including exhibitions and panel discussions will be held at the iconic Adwa Museum during the conference days, it was indicated.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2024
