ADDIS ABABA- Brazil sees Ethiopia as a fast getaway to Africa and a major foothold in the continent vast market apart from working on cementing the bilateral trade and investment ties, Brazil’s Chargé d’ affaires to Ethiopia, João Marcelo Montenegro Pres said .
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, the Chargé noted that the huge economic boom and sustainable development Ethiopia has achieved for years coupled with its growing status in the continent made it ideal partner in Brazil’s vision of enhancing commercial ties with Africa.
Ethiopia and Brazil have signed Memorandum of Understanding in trade and investment spheres, said João, adding that Brazil’s Embassy in Addis Ababa recently opened commercial section in the view to encourage more Brazil-based companies to Ethiopia’s market.
The Chargé indicated that Brazilian investors with enormous experiences in agriculture, machinery, car assembly,
pharmaceutical and information technology sectors have shown interest in investing in Ethiopia. “Brazil is a country with the high level of technologies and the coming of these companies would have a great significance to the growth of the two countries economic ties.”
Noting the periodic discussions of the two countries business communities would help to facilitate the business to business ties, he said that Brazilian companies including Bus Marco Polo, has already engaged in Ethiopia while the pharmaceutical firm Euro Pharma is undertaking feasibility study.
Brazil has a desire to partner with Ethiopia to formulate experience in providing quality coffee to global markets, João stated, adding that it would in particular be beneficial if investors of the two countries jointly engage in coffee production since Ethiopia has favorable environment for coffee.
Expressing Brazil’s rich experiences in coffee production, industry and the agricultural sector, the Chargé stated that it would be hugely valuable for the two countries if Brazilian investors take advantage of their experiences and seize the favorable investment environment in Ethiopia.
According to him, Brazil is also ready to share its experiences in education and health sectors as well as its inclusive social development program that have proved successful in changing the livelihoods of the citizens over the years.
Stating the cause for the decline of the two countries commercial ties , he said these two sisterly countries have been confined to the trading of few items, But João said that the direct flight of Ethiopian Airlines to São Paulo would change the trend and paves a way for Brazilian investments to Ethiopia.
Besides government-to-government relations, Brazil’s Embassy in Addis Ababa is exerting efforts to bring more Brazilian businesspersons to Ethiopia, the Chargé noted.
Herald December 11/2018
BY BILALA DERSO
