Ethiopia and Turkey concluded 5 agreements on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 in Addis Ababa. The agreements are made in the aim of facilitating more trade between the 2 countries.

The agreements were signed by Turkish Economy Minister, Nihat Zeybekci, and different heads of Ethiopian ministerial and agency offices.

The agreements, among other issues, have included agreements to mutually cooperate in the fields of energy, mining and hydrocarbon. In addition, Turkey has also agreed to cooperate with relevant Ethiopian institutions to upgrade their skill sets in geothermal and coal field survey.

The European nation has as well agreed to provide technical support to build the capacity of Ethiopia’s small and medium enterprise.

The agreements are said to include enhancing efforts in promoting their products in each other’s markets, establish a sustained mechanism for the exchange of trade and investment information and narrow trade imbalances.

In the realms of media, on the other hand, Ethiopian Broadcast Corporation concluded a cooperation agreement with the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation.

Commenting on the development, Mehmet Buyukeksi, head of Turkey’s exporters’ council, said; “Given the growth of businesses between the countries, we want to have an office which could facilitate banking services. We also requested the Ethiopian side to expedite the procedures for working visa extensions for Turkish businessmen, investors and employees in Ethiopia.” Ethiopia agreed to open a new office as per the law and promised to expedite visa matters, he added.

Zeyebekci on his part said, “The business model we pursue is a win-win, but when it comes to Ethiopia, we want Ethiopia to win first”. The agreements signed would further strengthen the ties between the 2 countries, the Minister added.

Source: Walta Information Center