The Ethio-South Africa Pre-investment Trade Mission meeting was opened on December 2 at the Ellile Hotel, Addis Ababa in the presence of higher government officials, South African investors, representatives of Ethiopian companies, and other private and government stakeholders.
A delegation of more than 12 South African Company representatives, including Quantum Food, Astra LTD, Agri Mega Group, KPMG, Standard Bank, CNBC Africa, African Business, are attending the Forum organized by the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss on the investment and trade opportunities available in Ethiopia.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dewano Kedir, opening the conference, noted that the relationship between Ethiopia and South Africa was longstanding and deep rooted in all economic, cultural, political and historic areas. He said the joint forum would now take the relationship further and “deepen Ethio-South Africa’s existing relations and raise them to the higher levels through fostering strategic economic and solid business partnerships.”
Companies present have interest in various sectors including agriculture, with specific reference to dairy, beef and poultry production, infrastructure development and particularly the power, mining and oil sectors, as well as animal feedstuffs, higher education, financial services for construction, and food manufacturing and export services. Mr. Roedolf Steenkamp, Managing Director for Africa, Astra Operations Limited, a leading South African integrated poultry producer, noted that his company which produced various animal feed products, was hopeful of becoming engaged in the emerging investments opportunities in Ethiopia.
The Forum will last until Saturday (December 6).
[allAfrica]