Ethiopia and Portugal should boost their trade and investment relations utilizing the long-standing diplomatic cooperation of the two countries, Portugal’s Ambassador to Ethiopia said.
In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian News Agency, Ambassador Antonio Luis Cotrim said the economic tie of the two countries is weak, even if the diplomatic relationship spanned for many years.
The ambassador, who noted that the annual trade exchange of the countries is not more than three million Euros, added that both parties have started activities to increase the amount.
Portugal imports coffee and leather products while it exports pharmaceutical products to Ethiopia.
Although many Portuguese investors have shown interest in investing in Ethiopia, it is only one company which is engaged in renewable energy generation in Tigray State, the ambassador stated.
According to Ambassador Cotrim, the countries have signed agreements that strengthen the bondages of the governments and the private sectors in different sectors.
The signed agreements cover education, politics, youth and sport, culture and media, he indicated.
The countries are also working closely in international politics, economy and security issues in addition to bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Cotrim admired Ethiopia’s efforts in bringing peace and stability to Africa and East Africa in particular.
The cultural and people-to-people relationship of Ethiopia and Portugal is around 500 years, according to the ambassador.
A concert will be held at the National Theatre next month to commemorate the occasion, he added. A painting exhibition will then be held in January.
[ENA]