Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Jemal Baker Abdullah said that his country could play a key role in the economic and trade integration of Pakistan in the African region. Just like Pakistan has special importance due to its location, Ethiopia has a prominent position in economic, commercial and political terms in the African region, he said. He was addressing an interactive forum on "Ethiopia-Pakistan Relations and Future Cooperation Prospects" hosted by the Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) in collaboration with the international journal "Pakistan in the World".

The ambassador said that Ethiopia could play its role in connecting Pakistan with the potential market of the African region and in the same way Ethiopia could further improve economic and trade relations with Central Asian markets and China through Pakistan. He said that African countries are developing digital diplomacy to connect themselves with the world's trade markets. Jemal Baker said in the present digital age, there was tough competition in the world for mutual trade and economic cooperation. The whole world is currently working on a digital economy due to which the economic and trade distance between countries is reducing, he added. He said that there are many opportunities for mutual trade of technology and agricultural products between Ethiopia and Pakistan.  

Ethiopia could import rice and sugar from Pakistan, while the construction sector, steel and chemical sectors were very important for export cooperation from Pakistan, he added. The ambassador said that 95% of electricity in Ethiopia is generated by hydel power, using River Nile’s water. He said that both countries could use their geo-strategic importance for geo-economic benefits, for which numerous opportunities would be available in future. There are many similarities between the two countries which would be helpful for the improvement of mutual relations, he added. Jemal Baker said that coffee, tea and honey are the main exports of Ethiopia and there is a big market for them in Pakistan.

He said the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Ethiopia started in 1950, adding that there are many investment opportunities for Pakistani investors in Ethiopia. Speaking at the forum, Chairman of COPAIR Amina Malik said it is an era of the digital economy through which relations between countries and regions would increase. She added that there are vast opportunities in the field of tourism between Pakistan and Ethiopia. The event was attended by media groups, TV anchors, and office bearers of the National Press Club Islamabad. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk