A two-day business forum aimed at further strengthening economic ties between Ethiopia and Italy has started today in Addis Ababa.
Speaking during the opening of the forum, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aklilu Hailemichael, said that Italy is one of the major destinations of Ethiopian exports in Europe and a source of tourists every year to Ethiopia.
He noted that Ethiopia can draw key lessons in terms of developing especially light manufacturing, agro-processing and textile industry from the rich skill and experience of Italian companies who are expected to create partnership with their Ethiopian counterparts.
“Ethiopia and Italy have symbolic relationship in terms of infrastructure and this should be extended effectively in other areas,” he underlined.
Italian vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Emanuela Del Re, on her part said that the forum is another building block in an ever growing partnership between Italy and Ethiopia.
“The involvement of so many Italian institutions in the forum is a tangible sign of our commitment towards Ethiopia,” she exclaimed.
The forum came to Ethiopia as the two countries are set to celebrate 130 years of diplomatic ties.
The two-day business forum is bringing 150 Ethiopian and 50 Italian companies together and agro-processing, infrastructure, textile and leather industries are expected to be areas of focus during the discussion.
During the forum Ethiopian company representatives are expected to have a side meeting and discussions with their Italian counterparts in round tables and panel discussions.