A business delegation from South Africa visited Ethiopia this month according to Yayheyrad Abate Deputy Director of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations.
The delegation is part of a series of bilateral agreements to enhance relations he said. The areas of agricultural, education, human resources and tourism were discussed as potential areas of cooperation he noted.
The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce was represented by the delegation along with companies from the construction sector and a supplier of crushing equipment and an agricultural company.
It is expected that a further four business delegations will come to Ethiopia from South Africa according to Yayheyrad Abate.Ethiopia and South Africa have a long history of contact from the time of its support of the African National Congress at the time of Apartheid in South Africa noted Sivu Maqungo, Chief Director of the International Relations and Cooperation Department.
Building relationships is important in business and the role of IRCD is to facilitate them noted Sivu.
The department is working to promote of business relations with Ethiopia by promoting the opportunities for investment to South African businesses he said.
“It’s different when a business opportunity in Ethiopia is being told by South Africans to their countrymen as opposed to representatives from the Ethiopian government,” he added.
Trade Relations between Ethiopia and South Africa have increased from just 42 million US dollars in 2004 to 95 million US dollars in 2011.
Source: Capital
