By: Tigist Sernesa
Israel has expressed strong support for Ethiopia's current direction in promoting economic reforms, a sentiment shared as an Ethio-Israel business forum commenced today in Addis Ababa. The forum aims to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timotheos highlighted the forum's significance, stating that it underscores economic diplomacy's crucial role as the "very engine of Ethiopia's foreign policy." He reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to boosting economic cooperation with Israel.
Dr. Gedion presented Ethiopia as a strategic gateway offering more than just investment opportunities. He emphasized the nation's advantages, including one of Africa's largest, youngest, and most dynamic markets with over 120 million people, a growing skilled workforce, expanding infrastructure, and a strategic location within the African continent. He also noted Ethiopia's efforts to enhance energy infrastructure, not only for domestic needs but also to bolster regional energy security through initiatives like the East African Power Pool, offering a reliable platform for energy investment.
For his part, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar lauded the Ethiopian government's ongoing efforts in advancing economic reforms.
Ethiopia and Israel share a longstanding bilateral relationship rooted in historical ties and shared values, which has evolved into modern cooperation across various sectors including agriculture, water management, health, defense technology, and education.
Minister Gedion concluded by calling on Israeli business persons to not only invest in Ethiopia but also to engage in more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future-oriented partnerships, new initiatives, transformative collaborations, and shared success stories.