ADDIS ABABA – The bilateral ties between Ethiopia and the State of Qatar have been witnessing significant growth, according to the country’s ambassador to Ethiopia.
Qatari Ambassador to Ethiopia, Hamad Al-Dosari told The Ethiopian Herald that the recent exchange visits made by leaders of the two countries have given impetus to the Ethio-Qatar multifaceted relations and cooperation.
Whilst Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed paid an official visit to Qatar in March 2019, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani went to Ethiopia in April 2017. Tamim’s father and the then Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani also visited Ethiopia in April 2013.
During the visit of Sheikh Hamad, Memorandums of Understanding reached to work together in cultural field and the two sides proposed Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and Avoidance of Double Taxation. Consensus was also reached to collaborate in higher education, scientific research and air service areas.
Ambassador Hamad pointed out that the Ethio-Qatar Joint Technical Committee has been playing instrumental role in evaluating the implementation of agreements and identifying further areas of cooperation.
The Ambassador said that there is a growing desire among Qatar investors to do business in Ethiopia and called on the Government of Ethiopia to facilitate conditions for Qatari companies so that they could invest in the country.
Noting that he has been witnessing Ethiopia’s massive economic progress in his tenure in Addis Ababa, Hamad expressed his government’s desire to support Ethiopia’s various development projects. Qatar’s Embassy in Addis Ababa is working together with the Ethiopian government to persuade Qatari investors to do business in the Horn of African nations.
“I would like to reaffirm the commitment of my government to transform the current excellent bilateral relations with Ethiopia. We have been hugely engaging to explore new areas of collaboration in a view to capitalize on Ethiopia’s untapped business and investment opportunities and geographic proximity.”
Qatar has the desire to scale up a good shape partnership with Ethiopia by opening broad horizons of cooperation in various areas including political, commercial, economic, investment, media and others, the ambassador remarked.
Ethio-Qatar relation has shown progress since the resumption of diplomatic ties in 2012 which was manifested by high-level visits by officials of the respective countries, signing of various agreements as well as a tour of cultural troupe and resumption of direct flights.
The Ethiopian Herald January 7/2020
BY BILAL DERSO
