A Belgian business mission came out strong on Thursday November 19, 2015 at Hilton Addis, with over 50 Belgian companies represented to meet and pursue business partnerships with their Ethiopian counterparts.
The business-to-business mission started with remarks by Ambassador Taye Askesilassie, state minister for Foreign Affairs; Belgian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Didier Nagant De Deuxchaisnes; Maurice Vermeesh, vice-chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture of Belgium-Luxembourg-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific; and Elias Geneti, president of the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, among others. All underscored the huge potential in boosting bilateral trade relations between Ethiopia and Belgium.
Companies that came from all the regions of Belgium were present at the B2B mission, exploring business opportunities in Ethiopia. The diversity of the industry representatives participating in the event was wide-ranging; from construction, vehicles, architecture, agro-processing, food, steel, energy, chemicals, railway, broadcasting, cargo and logistics, to banking and insurance, investment fund, communication and risk management. All actively engaged with potential partners here in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Belgium have enjoyed bilateral relations since 1906. The trade balance between the two countries currently favours Ethiopia, though most export items are agricultural products with minimal value addition.
[allafrica.com]