ADDIS ABABA — The Ethiopia-China Business Forum was held today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, attended by Ethiopian high-level officials, the business community, and members of the Ethiopia-China Friendship Committee.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ambassador Mesagnu Arga, who highlighted the recently signed All Weather Strategic Partnership and strides in Chinese private sector foreign direct investment (FDI). Ethiopia-China Friendship and Cooperation Committee Chair Betty Xu emphasized the shared vision of industrialization between Ethiopia and China, highlighting significant investment opportunities in mining, energy, construction, manufacturing, and home appliances.

Deputy Mayor Zhang Dianhu of Rizhao City and Vice Chairman Zhang Renghui of the Jiaxing Municipal People’s Congress Standing Committee expressed interest in working with Ethiopian companies. They noted that Ethiopia’s recent reforms, such as changes in the foreign exchange system and the removal of restrictions on foreigners in certain sectors, will boost Chinese investment in the country.

President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association, Sebsib Abafira, emphasized the strong trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and China. CEO of the Industrial Parks Development Corporation, Fiseha Yitagesu, highlighted the organization’s one-stop shops for electricity, banks, and waste treatment technology, as well as policy frameworks such as duty-free imports and export promotion schemes.

The forum also marked the unveiling of the Ethiopia-China Friendship and Cooperation Committee’s Light-up Villages program and the signing of an agreement with representative enterprises of three consortiums working in Ethiopia.