Latest news with #JemalBekerAbdula
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ethiopia seeks strong trade ties
A recent study ranks Pakistan as having the second-highest tariff cascading structure globally, after Egypt. photo: file Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr Jemal Beker Abdula, while emphasising the need to further strengthen trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan, invited Karachi's business community to use Ethiopia as a gateway to the vast African market of 1.5 billion people. Businesses operating in Ethiopia also enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union and the United States of America, which is an additional lucrative opportunity for foreign investors. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the envoy invited KCCI members to participate in "Invest in Ethiopia 2025," scheduled for May 1213, 2025, followed by Pakistan's Single Country Exhibition from May 1517, 2025. Ethiopian Airlines will offer a 12% discount to visitors attending these events, while affordable hotel accommodations are also available, he revealed. Highlighting the importance of the upcoming events, Dr Abdula said the "Invest in Ethiopia" conference will attract investors, policymakers, and supply chain stakeholders from across the globe, providing an ideal platform for partnerships, connectivity, and networking. He elaborated that a large number of participants have already confirmed their attendance at the Single Country Exhibition as well, which will showcase a wide range of Pakistani products to Ethiopian and African markets. The ambassador said Ethiopia has become one of Africa's leading tourist destinations. Post-Covid, Ethiopia recorded a 40% increase in tourist arrivals, thanks to its peaceful environment and rich historical attractions. Dr Abdula said Ethiopia and Pakistan have enjoyed nearly 70 years of diplomatic relations. "We highly appreciate the government of Pakistan's 'Look Africa and Engage Africa' policy, encouraging businesses to enter and operate in Africa which can be done through Ethiopia, the true gateway to Africa." He highlighted that Ethiopia is no longer a landlocked nation but a land-linked country, with 95% of its imports and exports channelled through the Djibouti rail network, with a transit distance of six hours. The country is among the world's fastest-growing economies, with a current GDP of $400 billion and having recorded an 8.2% GDP growth last year, the envoy said. Highway network disruption Meanwhile, industry leaders have called for ending prolonged protest sit-ins and road blockages on national highways and main roads against new and controversial canals on the Indus River. Business leaders, including Ismail Suttar, Founder Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP) have fretted about the worst situation on roads in Sindh. The disruption of transportation routes is devastating, especially during Pakistan's ongoing economic crisis. Karachi's port operations have been severely affected, with thousands of trucks and lorries stranded along main transportation routes. This standoff is causing mounting holding and transportation costs for manufacturers, while fears grow that tonnes of edible supplies may spoil, further straining the supply chain. "Our industries are always the first to suffer during unrest. Sindh and Punjab are industrial powerhouses, heavily reliant on each other for raw materials and market supply. Disrupting their link is not just a regional problem - it's a national economic threat," Suttar said.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pak single-country exhibition in Ethiopia from May 15
KARACHI: Ethiopia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Jemal Beker Abdula, has announced that a single-country exhibition featuring Pakistani products will be held in Ethiopia from May 15 to 17, 2025. This event aims to boost access for Pakistani goods into the wider African market. Speaking at meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), the ambassador revealed that Ethiopia is offering Pakistani manufacturers attractive incentives including a 10-year tax holiday for exports made from Ethiopia to third countries and up to 70% revenue support for investments within the country. Dr Jemal Beker Abdula described Ethiopia as a 'gateway to Africa,' emphasising that Pakistani industrialists could manufacture their products in Ethiopia and export them to regional and international markets. He highlighted the country's 98% renewable energy use, with electricity costing only around PKR 5.80 per kilowatt-hour, and free water supply for industries—creating a cost-effective production environment for accessing Africa's 1.5 billion-strong consumer base. More than 100 Pakistani brands and manufacturers are expected to participate in the exhibition, which will be inaugurated by Pakistan's Federal Minister for Industries and Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Ethiopian Airlines: Pakistan's ‘Look Africa Vision' can be advanced: envoy
KARACHI: Ethiopia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula has said that global conditions are rapidly changing, which will have a direct impact on trade and economic relations. He said that Ethiopia is now at a significant economic turning point, with its GDP growing rapidly. However, challenges related to currency and the black market still exist. "We are providing sustainable energy at a rate of just 0.03 cents per unit," the ambassador noted, adding that the Pakistani media has played a vital role in promoting bilateral relations between Pakistan and Ethiopia. He emphasized that Ethiopia is the land to which the first migration in Islam was made on the instruction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He made these remarks while addressing members at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday. The Ethiopian Ambassador highlighted that Pakistan's "Look Africa Vision" can be advanced through Ethiopian Airlines. He shared that after launching flights from Karachi, the airline will soon begin operations from Lahore and Islamabad as well. He added that Ethiopia offers some of the best tourist destinations in the world. FPCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon said that both Pakistan and Ethiopia are geographically important countries, and they must capitalize on their strategic locations. He pointed out that the current trade volume between the two nations stands at only $71.4 million, but it has the potential to increase tenfold. He further said that Pakistan can export textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, and other products to Ethiopia, but challenges remain in terms of banking channels. He emphasized the importance of business meetings to foster trade and announced that FPCCI and TDAP are organizing a Single Country Exhibition in Ethiopia. He also called for the need to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Ethiopia. Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia Ibrahim Tawab said that recent financial reforms in Ethiopia have significantly changed the country's economic landscape. 'We must realize that Africa is becoming a vital market,' he said. Ethiopia has an import bill of $17 billion, and Pakistan has the opportunity to export everything from textiles to pharmaceuticals. He also noted that the media has often portrayed Ethiopia negatively; however, Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula has successfully transformed this perception. Direct flights are now operating from Karachi to Addis Ababa. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Parliamentary diplomacy's role highlighted
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said during a meeting with Ethiopian Ambassador Dr Jemal Beker Abdula that parliamentary diplomacy can play a vital role in solving global issues. The leaders agreed on the need for joint efforts to address major global challenges like climate change, terrorism and sea piracy. Speaker Khan said that increasing cooperation at the parliamentary level and exchanging delegations will allow both countries to learn from each other's experiences. The speaker welcomed the launch of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Karachi.
