Ethiopia seeks strong trade ties

Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr Jemal Beker Abdula, while emphasising the need to further strengthen trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan, invited Karachi's business community to use Ethiopia as a gateway to the vast African market of 1.5 billion people.

Businesses operating in Ethiopia also enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union and the United States of America, which is an additional lucrative opportunity for foreign investors.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the envoy invited KCCI members to participate in "Invest in Ethiopia 2025," scheduled for May 12–13, 2025, followed by Pakistan's Single Country Exhibition from May 15–17, 2025.

Ethiopian Airlines will offer a 12% discount to visitors attending these events, while affordable hotel accommodations are also available, he revealed.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming events, Dr Abdula said the "Invest in Ethiopia" conference will attract investors, policymakers, and supply chain stakeholders from across the globe, providing an ideal platform for partnerships, connectivity, and networking.

He elaborated that a large number of participants have already confirmed their attendance at the Single Country Exhibition as well, which will showcase a wide range of Pakistani products to Ethiopian and African markets.

The ambassador said Ethiopia has become one of Africa's leading tourist destinations. Post-Covid, Ethiopia recorded a 40% increase in tourist arrivals, thanks to its peaceful environment and rich historical attractions.

Dr Abdula said Ethiopia and Pakistan have enjoyed nearly 70 years of diplomatic relations.

"We highly appreciate the government of Pakistan's 'Look Africa and Engage Africa' policy, encouraging businesses to enter and operate in Africa which can be done through Ethiopia, the true gateway to Africa."

He highlighted that Ethiopia is no longer a landlocked nation but a land-linked country, with 95% of its imports and exports channelled through the Djibouti rail network, with a transit distance of six hours.

The country is among the world's fastest-growing economies, with a current GDP of $400 billion and having recorded an 8.2% GDP growth last year, the envoy said.

Highway network disruption

Meanwhile, industry leaders have called for ending prolonged protest sit-ins and road blockages on national highways and main roads against new and controversial canals on the Indus River.

Business leaders, including Ismail Suttar, Founder Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP) have fretted about the worst situation on roads in Sindh.

The disruption of transportation routes is devastating, especially during Pakistan's ongoing economic crisis. Karachi's port operations have been severely affected, with thousands of trucks and lorries stranded along main transportation routes. This standoff is causing mounting holding and transportation costs for manufacturers, while fears grow that tonnes of edible supplies may spoil, further straining the supply chain.

"Our industries are always the first to suffer during unrest. Sindh and Punjab are industrial powerhouses, heavily reliant on each other for raw materials and market supply. Disrupting their link is not just a regional problem - it's a national economic threat," Suttar said.