ADDIS ABABA – Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that the Ethiopian Government has been working to capitalize on the participation of the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai to showcase the country’s business and investment opportunities as well as its rich history, cultural heritage and tourist attractions.
Launching Ethiopia’s participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai, Trade and Industry State Minister, Misganu Arega said that the Expo will usher a unique opportunity to every participating country, including Ethiopia, as it will be the first-in-kind to be organized in such scale in the developing world. Whilst 192 countries are expected to take part in the event, it would bring together 25 million visitors across the globe.
The State Minister, who is also Ethiopia’s Commissioner of Expo 2020, noted that the country’s pavilion titled “Ethiopia Land of Origins and Opportunities” in a view to showcasing country’s vast economic potential and boosting its global profile. The opportunity sub-theme, which Ethiopia’s participation is anchored, also aims to leverage the wealth of expertise and experience of countries participating in the Expo.
“Ethiopia is an emerging light manufacturing hub of Africa and through the past several years’ governments’ wide-ranging efforts and the current Home-grown Economic Reform, it is set to become Africa’s manufacturing hub by 2025. According to him, the opportunities across priority sectors, including, agro processing, textile, apparel, leather and leather products, mining, ICT, power generation and many others will be presented in Expo 2020. Furthermore, the mosaic of cultures which will be featured in Ethiopia’s pavilion is expected to leave impeccable lasting memory among visitors.
Misganu pointed out that in addition to the strong bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is the strong ideals set out in the Expo themes and opportunities that have made the Ethiopian government decide to participate in the event.
The Commissioner applauded the UAE government for technical, financial and logistical support to Ethiopia’s participation in the Expo, expressed his belief that the support would further reinforce the excellent bilateral relations the two countries have been enjoying.
Director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Omar Khan said on his part that the Chamber is gearing up to host more than 33 business events during the Expo, including the largest and most comprehensive Global Business Forum Africa to date, offering and ideal platform for Ethiopian companies to explore new business prospects.
Noting that 38,000 companies registered for the six-month event, the Director expressed optimism that there would be plenty of networking and collaboration opportunities for Ethiopian companies that would involve in the Expo. “Dubai Chamber has long considered Ethiopia as market of strategic importance and we have stepped up our efforts to build relations with the country following the opening of our first Africa Branch Office in Addis Ababa six years ago.”
According to him, Ethiopia-Dubai non-oil trade has nearly doubled since the opening of the Branch Office in 2013 and the annual trade volume was reached to 675 million USD in 2018. Meanwhile, the number of Ethiopian companies registered with Dubai Chamber has increased steadily over the years to exceed 380 today.
Recalling the two countries long-lasting relations, Senior Advisor to the Expo 2020 Director General Bureau, Moosa Al Hashemi said he is hopeful thatEthiopia will present exciting opportunities to the world during the Expo.
The Expo will nourish and build on valued partnership and also offer Ethiopia the opportunity to forge new and lasting bonds with many nationalities who will witness first-hand the wonder potential that the Horn of African nation presents, he remarked. Expo 2020 is scheduled to take place from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 24/2019
BY BILAL DERSO
