Indonesia has a strong desire to further cement bilateral relationships with Ethiopia, Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia Al Busyra Basnur said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Ambassador said that Indonesia is desirous to further elevate its relationship with Ethiopia into a higher level.
Ambassador Al Busyra stated that the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Indonesia has been growing rapidly especially in the economic, social and cultural areas since its start in 1961.
He pointed out that five Indonesian companies have been engaged in several investment opportunities in Ethiopia and there is a strong interest from other Indonesian investors to come and invest in the country.
“I have been here for four and half months and before I left my country there were inquiries and enthusiasm from Indonesian companies to invest and engage in trade with Ethiopian friends,” he added.
Encouraging companies to explore the investment opportunities in Ethiopia is one of the priority areas of the embassy as a way to lift up the economic cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador said.
In view of that, Ethiopia and Indonesia are jointly working to organize bilateral events aimed at bolstering ties between the two countries.
“In October we will have trade expo in Indonesia and around 20 businessmen are already registered to come to Indonesia, and next year in this embassy we are going to have the trade expo between Indonesia and Ethiopia,” he said.
Data from the embassy indicated that the volume of trade between the two countries was worth 293.37 million USD in 2017 and Ethiopia imports most of electronics, hygiene and detergents from Indonesia and exported several agricultural products.
The two countries are also striving to maintain their long-standing social and cultural relationships, the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Al Busyra indicated that creating linkage between universities of the two countries is the other focus area in strengthening social relationship and the embassy is working with universities of Hawasa, Dessie and Bahir Dar in this respect.