In a significant move to bolster international partnerships, officials from Ethiopia and the Chinese mainland have emphasized the importance of enhancing China-Africa cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The high-level conference, titled \"Revisiting Ethiopia's Role in the FOCAC and the Way Forward,\" was held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. Eshete Tilahun, head of the Office of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that FOCAC has been a pivotal platform since its inception in 2000, fostering critical infrastructure development, enhancing connectivity, boosting trade activities, attracting foreign direct investment, and nurturing entrepreneurship across Africa.
\"FOCAC has proven to be an effective and strong platform for promoting Africa-China cooperation. It stands as a testament to our shared aspirations, mutual respect, and collaborative spirit,\" Tilahun stated.
Yang Yihang, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, echoed this sentiment, noting that China has remained Africa's largest trade partner for 15 consecutive years. By the end of 2023, over 500 Chinese enterprises had invested in more than 2,000 projects in Ethiopia, culminating in a cumulative investment of approximately $5 billion and creating 580,000 job opportunities.
Looking ahead, Yang emphasized the importance of creating a favorable business environment in African countries. He assured that China will continue to encourage its companies to explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia and across Africa, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, the digital economy, renewable energy, and agriculture.
Anteneh Getachew, director general of Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that the conference aims to evaluate Ethiopia's unwavering commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with China through the FOCAC platform. The event, organized by the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, seeks to identify future areas of collaboration and amplify Ethiopia's role within FOCAC.
Reference(s):
Officials call for strengthening China-Africa cooperation under FOCAC
cgtn.com
