
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s transformative macroeconomic reforms present significant opportunities for Japanese businesses, Ambassador Daba Debele said.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Japan emphasized that the recent launch of macroeconomic reforms has notably improved financial transactions for foreign companies, a longstanding challenge.
He noted that the Ethiopian government has identified priority sectors for investment, including agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. These sectors are crucial for enhancing agricultural exports, supporting the digital economy, and boosting the manufacturing sector’s economic contribution.
Furthermore, the government’s incentive packages are designed to attract more investors. Addressing bureaucratic challenges has also been a key focus for the government.
Recognizing the strengths of Japanese companies in these priority areas, the Ethiopian Embassy in Tokyo has engaged in discussions with Japanese enterprises to explore potential business opportunities.
According to Amb. Daba, the Ethio-Japan seminar on trade and investment will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience, and technology. This seminar brings together over 62 participants representing 36 top, medium, and startup Japanese companies.
The symposium’s primary objective is to showcase business opportunities and the investment environment in Ethiopia across various sectors. Japanese companies will engage with Ethiopian stakeholders through business-to-business meetings and matchmaking sessions to explore potential trade and investment opportunities in the identified priority areas.
The Ambassador emphasized the long-standing diplomatic and political ties between Ethiopia and Japan. He believes that with the ongoing economic reforms, the two countries can significantly strengthen cooperation and partnerships in various sectors. Given Japan’s technological leadership, there is immense potential for collaboration in areas such as space science, robotics, and IT.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2025