By: Abiy Habtamu Kidane
MA, Multimedia Journalism
One of the main areas in which Ethiopia and Italy have strong bilateral relations is the economy. Italy is currently the eighth-largest provider in the world and the leading European supplier, making it one of Ethiopia’s primary trading partners. Ethiopia’s importance as Italy’s Sub-Saharan African partner is highlighted by this issue, which is crucial for maintaining regional stability where long-standing links exist. In terms of Italian exports, a large number of Italian businesses actively participate in Ethiopia’s ongoing modernisation projects.
Organising the first “Ethiopia-Italy” dialogue under the theme “Economic Dialogue Ethiopia – Italy,” the Italian Embassy and the Agency for the Promotion Abroad and the Internationalisation of Italian Companies (ITA) brought together representatives from the trade, agriculture, investment, construction, automotive, and related industries of the two countries.
Among the subjects covered were promoting sustainable development and equitable economic growth in Ethiopia, identifying key areas of collaboration like energy, technology, infrastructure, and agriculture, fortifying economic ties between Italy and Ethiopia to open up new avenues for cooperation, and encouraging bilateral trade and investments. Opening remarks were delivered by Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia Agostino Palaesi. Following that, the Italian trade agency facilitated institutional round table meetings on significant subjects including trade and agriculture that will strengthen Ethiopia-Italy bilateral cooperation and ties.
The primary goal of the conference, according to Claudio Pasqualucci, Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency in Ethiopia, was to raise awareness among important governmental and commercial sector stakeholders. He also discussed how the two nations may work together in other areas, such as trade expansion. According to Claudio Pasqualucci, Commissioner of the Italian Economic Agency, “the forum’s main goals were to raise awareness among important players from the private and public sectors in order to actualise the trade relationship between Ethiopia and Italy.”
According to him, Italy and Ethiopia have had close bilateral relations for a long time and are still working closely together in the building, agricultural, and automotive industries. The commissioners believe that firms, construction, automotive, agriculture, and allied industries need to understand how to overcome obstacles and generate business opportunities.
He underlined that numerous Ethiopian businesses may think about partnering with their Italian counterparts in the future and that they are trying to draw in as many investments as they can. Business people attended the “Economic DialogueEthiopia – Italy” session, which was organised by the ITA.