The government of Ethiopia is working to increase the investment of European businesspersons in Ethiopia, Ministry of Trade said.
A European Union Trade Forum which attracted government officials and stakeholders was held here on Thursday, October 2, 2014.
Advisor to the Trade Process and Regulatory State Minister of Trade, Nuredin Mohammed, said on the occasion that the government is making conditions suitable for European investors so that they could engage widely in various sectors.
According to him, the government is working closely with the European Union to improve old procedures and change the trade system of the country.
It has in particular made amendments that solve problems related to the issuance of trade license, investment capital and payment of taxation.
Presently, European businesspersons have invested over 80 billion birr in Ethiopia, according to the advisor.
The government will provide all the necessary support whenever investors face problems while embarking in the trade system, he added.
Representative of EU Delegation to Ethiopia, Barbara Plinkert, on her part said the union and the government of Ethiopia have been solving the problems European investors face in the country in consultation.
She added that the aim of the conference was to bring together European companies with their Ethiopian counterparts so that they could assess the investment alternatives in the country and seek solutions to problems they may face while investing.
“Ethiopia is a country with potential resources and suitable to investors,” said the representative, adding that the number of European investors in Ethiopia has been increasing.
The number of European companies in Ethiopia has jumped over 300, according to Plinkert.
She indicated that the EU would encourage European companies to invest in the industry sector, the priority area of the government of Ethiopia.
[ENA]