Addis Ababa, September 19/2022 (Walta) –Ambassador of Ethiopia to Qatar H E Feisel Aliyi Abrahim has stressed that Qatar and Ethiopia relations stem from mutual respect, solid historical bonds and shared interests across several platforms.
In a recent media roundtable, the ambassador said both countries have several potential areas of investment, especially in Ethiopia – which could be a desirable destination for Qatari investors and tourists. He disclosed that Qatar is funding the construction of specialized kidney hospital in Addis Ababa under Qatar Fund for Development.
“We have excellent relationships with Qatar because of historical and religious ties. We have also had a high-level exchange of leaders, signed close to 13 agreements — some of which are being processed and some areas are already operational,” Ambassador Abrahim said.
He shared that both countries have agreed to establish a joint ministerial commission to oversee bilateral relations. Also, there is an agreement to work on regional and international levels. There are currently over 30,000 Ethiopian residents in Qatar. The ambassador who assumed his role last year is no stranger to diplomacy, having served in the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy in Qatar. He said his experience in Qatar would enable him to identify more areas of cooperation.
“Qatar is a country I know, and there are areas both countries can cooperate and capitalize to our benefit. We have political consultation every two years, which reviews engagements in economy, politics, social and other areas of cooperation and solicits for further engagement.
“My priority is to strengthen the existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, follow up the implementation of the existing bilateral agreements and work on strengthening the people-to-people relations between the two sides.”
Abrahim also noted that under the current Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian economy is now open to foreign investment, especially with the launch of the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, officially inaugurated last month. He said Qatari investors could take advantage of the measure, which allows full ownership of businesses, to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture and technology and manufacturing.
“We are strengthening the homegrown economy by making it competent to absorb the incoming investment. Ethiopia was a closed country in terms of economy, but now, we have opened up to foreign companies. Recently, the PM declared the country open to foreign companies in the financial sector,” he added.
According to Abrahim, Ethiopia is a thriving hub as it hosts several international and regional agencies, touting Addis Ababa as an example. He emphasized that Ethiopia wants to develop its market, especially in tourism, with plans to make it a top destination for tourists from Qatari citizens and residents – Qatar Airways and Ethiopia Airlines provide travel options for commuters.
(Source: The Peninsula)