Ethiopia-Sudan Business Forum, aimed at reinforcing business relations between the two countries, is underway in Addis Ababa. The two-day forum, which started yesterday, will conclude today.

Dawano Kedir, Permanent Secretary of Economic Diplomacy at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out that business ties between the two countries is “below the level of expectation” in his opening remarks.

“While the two countries have enormous potential for trade and investment, a lot of efforts are required to improve the existing relations,” Mr. Dawano said. Hence, he stressed, Ethiopia and Sudan are now active and engaged to exploit the business opportunities between them.

Al Ageed Hassan, President of Sudan’s Business Association in Ethiopia, for his part said “Absence of inter-banking system between Ethiopia and Sudan crippled the trade relations in both countries.” Mr. Hassan also reaffirmed that the ongoing political change in Sudan will not have a destructive effect on the trade relations between the two neighbors. He went on to say the ongoing business form serves to show for it.

Shiferaw Jarso, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Sudan, noted on the occasion that some 400 Sudanese investors have been engaged in various investment sectors in Ethiopia; however, he said, their numbers have dropped to nearly a quarter of it in the last three years. Ambassador Shiferaw, attributing the decrease in number of Sudanese investors in Ethiopia to the recent situation in Ethiopia and sanction imposed by Sudan, expressed hope that things are now changing for the better and “business opportunities between the two countries will [now] show steadfast improvement.”

Over 150 participants from Ethio-Sudan business communities, public delegates and government officials are discussing ways of enhancing trade and investment relations on the forum.

Source: ENA