From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Sun Sep 14 2008 - 11:27:00 EDT
Djibouti is Ethiopia's leading trade partner in Africa: Ambassador
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Djibouti, September 14 (WIC) - Djibouti is Ethiopia's leading trade
partner in Africa, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ambassador in Djibouti announced.
Ambassador Shemsedin Ahmed recently told WIC that Djibouti is Ethiopia's
leading trade partner compared to Ethiopia's trade relation with the
Common Market for East and South Africa (COMESA) and other countries. He
said an income of more than 333.5 million Birr has been gained by
exporting 3,966,805 kg of Khat and 35, 564,784 Kg vegetables and fruits.
Out of the stated income, 261.7 million Birr is from Khat whereas 71.8
million is from vegetables and fruits, the Ambassador indicated.
Currently 95 per cent of Ethiopia's import-export transit is carried out
through the Djibouti corridor showing the strong tie between Ethiopian
economic growth and the port of Djibouti, he added
The Ambassador indicated that Ethiopia has exported huge amount of
agricultural products and imported construction materials, vehicles and
oil via the port of Djibouti over the last five years. The port of
Djibouti has also improved its capacity in transporting and luggage
storage, he added.
Meanwhile, the Doralle port is set up to import oil separately and
arrangements are made so that fuel-tracks can easily access the port.
The government of Djibouti is currently repairing 80km road that
connects the port and the Ethiopian territory, the Ambassador indicated,
adding that vehicles can reach Addis within 12 hours irrespective of
weather and quality of the vehicle.
The two countries have signed agreements on use of port and transit
goods which has significantly contributed for the improvement of
export-import services, according to the Ambassador.
Ethiopia and Djibouti have recently signed investment agreements, it was
learnt.
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