Addis ababa: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Ethiopia, placing trade and investment at the center of its diplomatic engagement.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Air Vice Marshal Sitwat Nayeem, expressed Dhaka's eagerness to expand cooperation and unlock untapped commercial opportunities between the two nations. Nayeem highlighted the healthy state of the relationship between Ethiopia and Bangladesh since the establishment of the Bangladeshi embassy in Addis Ababa in 2016. He noted the slow but steady growth of bilateral ties, supported by sustained political goodwill, which provides a strong foundation for enhanced economic collaboration.
The ambassador recalled the visit of Bangladesh's foreign minister to Addis Ababa last year, where discussions with the Ethiopian counterpart focused on expanding cooperation and exploring growth strategies. However, Nayeem acknowledged a persistent information gap between the business communities of both countries, emphasizing the need for stronger business-to-business engagement and sustained policy dialogue to bridge this gap and stimulate trade flows.
Nayeem pointed to a recent Bangladesh-Ethiopia trade show that revealed considerable potential for collaboration, particularly as Bangladeshi participants observed Ethiopia's rising demand for industrial and consumer goods amid rapid economic growth. He underscored that Ethiopia's fast-paced development presents significant opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses.
Agriculture emerged as a natural area for partnership, with the ambassador highlighting the complementarity between Ethiopia's coffee exports and Bangladesh's global leadership in jute production. He emphasized the need to connect Ethiopian coffee business people with Bangladeshi jute producers, as jute bags are essential for preserving coffee.
Pharmaceuticals and other manufacturing sectors were also identified as promising fields for cooperation, where Bangladesh has developed competitive capacities. Nayeem emphasized his role in connecting businesses from both countries to share opportunities and increase trade volume.
Encouraging Bangladeshi investors to view Ethiopia as a gateway to the broader African market, the ambassador highlighted the advantages offered under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides expanded access across the continent.