Ethiopia and Turkey signed five cooperation agreements in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Dec. 28, setting out mechanisms to facilitate more trade between the two countries.
Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci and heads of Ethiopian agencies signed the agreements.
โBoth sides agreed to mutual cooperation in the fields of energy, mining and hydrocarbon,โ the agreement said.
Turkey will cooperate with relevant Ethiopian institutions to upgrade their skill sets in geothermal and coal field surveys.
Turkey also agreed to provide technical support to build the capacity of Ethiopiaโs small-and-medium enterprises.
Also, โboth sides agreed to strengthen the technical and capacity building cooperation between the Ministry of Industry of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Economy of Turkey to strengthen the manufacturing sectorโs productivity, competitiveness and export capacity,โ the agreement said.
The Ethiopian Broadcast Corporation also signed a cooperation agreement with the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (RTรK).
The two countries also agreed to โenhance their efforts to promote their products in each otherโs markets, establish a sustained mechanism for the exchange of trade and investment information, and narrow trade imbalances. Turkeyโs demands Mehmet Bรผyรผkekลi, head of Turkish Exportersโ Assembly (TฤฐM), told Anadolu Agency: โGiven the growth of businesses between the countries, we want to have an office which could facilitate banking services.
โWe also requested the Ethiopian side to expedite the procedures for working visa extensions for Turkish businessmen, investors and employees in Ethiopia.โ
Bรผyรผkekลi said the Ethiopian side had agreed to establish an office as per the law and promised to expedite visa issues.
โOne of our demands which will enable both countries to improve their bilateral trade and business relations was the establishment of a free trade area between the countries,โ he said, adding: โBut the Ethiopian side said it was not ready at this moment to enter into this agreement.โ
โWin-winโ model
In his key note address to the Turkey-Ethiopia Business Forum, Zeybekci said the existing all rounded ties between the two countries had what it takes to win the future for both.
โThe business model we pursue is a win-win, but when it comes to Ethiopia, we want Ethiopia to win first,โ he said.
โIf a country which has a similar culture with Turkey and proud Islamic history wins, we also win,โ he said.
He added the agreements signed between the two sides on Dec. 28 will further strengthen bilateral ties.
Zeybekci also met the Ethiopian Foreign Minister Werkineh Gebeyehu.
Tewelde Mulugeta, a ministry spokesperson who attended the meeting, told Anadolu Agency: โBoth countries agreed to coordinate their struggle against terrorism.โ