The Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia is partnering with the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations to speed-up the work of the Zambia-Ethiopia Business Forum.

This is contained in a statement issued to the Media by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Inutu Mwanza.

According to the statement, the  Zambia’s envoy to Ethiopia, Emmanuel Mwamba said Government has shifted focus in line with the Seventh National Development Plan from political to economic diplomacy.

He said this was to ensure that Zambia maximizes benefits from countries of accreditation in Foreign Missions.

Mr. Mwamba who is also Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said in view of this, the Embassy has embarked on an aggressive campaign to maximise on the economic benefits that Zambia could realise from Ethiopia and countries of extra accreditation which included Sudan and Djibouti.

He said trade between the two states averages about $200 million which could be dramatically scaled up with exports from Zambia such as sugar which Ethiopia is urgently looking for.

In line with that, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce Secretary General, Getachew Regassa has welcomed the proposed formation of the Zambia Ethiopia Business Forum, saying it is a sure means of fast-tracking trade and investment between the private sector players of both countries.

He emphasised that the Business Forum will create a platform for the private sector to engage and discuss trade and investment opportunities existing in both countries.

Mr. Getachew said it was through platforms like the business forum that business delegation visits would be facilitated between the two countries.

The Secretary General requested Mr. Mwamba to help implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the Chamber signed with the Zambia Chamber of Commerce in 2017.

He said he is happy that Mr. Mwamba has expressed commitment to revive the MoU and go a step further to propose the establishment of the Zambia-Ethiopia Business Forum between the two countries.

Mr. Getachew said it is important that the MoU signed between the two Chambers of Commerce was actualised and, further stated that the envisaged Business Forum would not work in isolation but with full support from both Chambers.

In response, the Zambian ambassador, stressed that in View of the planned launch of the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area in July, 2019, the need for the private sector players of both countries to develop strategies that would ensure that they maximise benefits from the larger free market.