Addis ababa: Ethiopia has earned more than 8.7 billion USD from export during the last 10 months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, according to Trade and Regional Integration Minister and ECX Board Chairman Kassahun Gofe. The Minister disclosed the above at the graduation of 168 coffee sommeliers from the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) Academy.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Kassahun highlighted that Ethiopia's foreign trade has a long history, and remarkable achievements have been registered following the National reform. He emphasized the importance of developing a knowledgeable and skilled workforce to build a modern and effective export system, noting that the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Academy is playing an encouraging role in developing qualified professionals.
Kassahun further stated that remarkable changes have been recorded in export trade over the reform years, with encouraging results being achieved in the current Ethiopian fiscal year. In the past 10 months alone, the country has earned 8.7 billion USD in export revenue, and plans are underway to increase the revenue to 10 billion by the end of the fiscal year.
He also noted that Ethiopia could benefit from export when the products fulfill international quality and safety standards. Quality assurance and quality determination are cornerstones for the competitiveness of agricultural products in international markets, he stressed. Kassahun expressed confidence that the graduates would play a significant role in ensuring international quality standards.
Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) Director-General, Mergia Bayissa, remarked that the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Academy is sharing its experience and knowledge with other African countries as well. Since its establishment in 2023, the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Academy has trained more than 3,200 individuals in coffee quality evaluation, grain and oil products quality determination, and agricultural products export facilitation.