Ethiopia’s Flourishing Business Climate Boosting Italian Investment: Trade Promotion Commissioner Pasqualucci

Addis ababa: Italy's investment and engagement, supported by Ethiopia's flourishing business climate, is growing, Claudio Pasqualucci, Trade Promotion Commissioner at the Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa, said. Over 20 Italian companies, alongside a wide range of international and local exhibitors, are taking part at the Big 5 Construct Ethiopia 2026 event at the Addis International Convention Center. The event, which opened today, will remain open up until April 25.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Trade Promotion Commissioner highlighted the opening up of the Ethiopian economy for foreign companies and the growing of the business environment. 'The business environment is growing and moving forward. And we can observe by the results. For example, Italian exports to Ethiopia have increased last year.'Currently, Italian investment has reached approximately 723 million Euros, contributing to a broader framework of economic cooperation, it was learned. Noting that there is huge potential to increase the numbers more, Pasqualucci said the reform that the Ethiopian government has carried out has been instrumental in enhancing the business environment. 'We want to work with Ethiopian companies and the real estate industry in urban development. We want to generate more integrated dynamics bilaterally.'The Commissioner commended the vast array of economic and fiscal reforms undertaken by the government that benefit both the Ethiopian economy and foreign companies. To date, approximately 150 Italian companies maintain trade and investment relations with Ethiopian partners, contributing to a dynamic and increasingly diversified business environment.Ethiopia has also been designated as a priority country under Italy's Mattei Plan, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation with African countries through sustainable development projects and economic partnerships. The ongoing exhibition offers direct access to upcoming public and private projects while creating opportunities for business development , partnership building, and stronger engagement with local developers, contractors, and decision-makers.Ethiopia's ongoing process of market liberalization and progressive opening to foreign investment is strengthening its position as a regional economic hub. In this evolving context, a broad range of international companies are active across key sectors.