The World Export Development Forum (WEDF) opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today under the theme "Trade and Invest in One Africa." The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry jointly host the forum.

Present during the opening was Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia, and other high-ranking government officials. The forum attracted business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, trade development officials, representatives of international organizations, trade and investment promotion agencies, and business associations across the world.

The Forum is timed to contribute to Africa Industrialization Week, intended to help businesses make the most of the newly ratified African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement with a special focus on the role of women and youth and to address international business competitiveness issues and profile international investment in Ethiopia and beyond.

During the event, a business-to-business matchmaking platform that aims to create new business deals in agribusiness was also organized in partnership with the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations.

Source: ECCSA