Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Ethiopia is well positioned to fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, the participants of the 19th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Trade Officials (STOs) revealed.
The participants of the 19th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Trade Officials of the AfCFTA which was held in Addis Ababa this week have visited the Ethiopian Export Trade Permanent Exhibition Center today.
Following the visit, Onesime Niyukuri Chief Negotiator for the AfCFTA from Burundi told ENA that the center demonstrates how Ethiopia started the process a long time ago.
“We have been introduced to different sectors including agriculture, processing, industrial development and we have tested the coffee that is produced, processed, and manufactured in Ethiopia.”
Noting that he enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about Ethiopia’s potential, the chief negotiator said having a center like this is very important that would attract investors.
Everyone can see how Ethiopia is progressing and trade service is evolving, he said, adding Ethiopia is well positioned to benefit from AfCFTA.
“If you look at in terms of air transport, I think Ethiopia is the gateway for all the African countries and also for other countries across the world,” Niyukuri affirmed.
Similarly, AfCFTA Negotiator from Liberia Richard Prait noted that the export exhibition center shows the huge potential of Ethiopia.
“I think Ethiopia has huge potential to utilize the African Continental Free Trade Area framework and to export its products to other markets,” he stated.
Stressing the need to nurture the culture of integration as a continent, he added it is important that we utilize the market by showing that we get ourselves integrated.
Another visitor from Kenya, Phibian Muthama said it is wonderful to see one of African countries having so many things to export.
“I think AfCFTA is a very nice body which reminds us to be proud of ourselves.”
State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Yasmin Wohabrebbi for her part noted that Ethiopia has been actively participating in the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement since its inception.
Stating that the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement framework has reached a significant stage at the moment, she reiterated Ethiopia will continue to strengthen its role for the realization of the agreement.
AfCFTA aims at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s Trade position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations, it was learned.
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