Czech business delegation visits Ethiopia

A delegation led by Vladimír Bärtl, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, has paid a visit to Ethiopia. This follows a recent visit by the Czech Minister of Agriculture.
According to the statement of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (AACCSA) a Delegation of Czech companies led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic visited Ethiopia for two days, aiming at establishing and enhancing bilateral ties between the private sectors of both countries in the respective fields.
An expert at the chamber told Capital that the east European nation wants to expand the relationship with Ethiopia under the Czech Developmental Cooperation. He said that is the reason for their frequent visits to the Horn of Africa nation.
Elias Geneti, President AACCSA, who officially opened the Ethio-Czech Business forum held at the Hilton Addis on May 15, 2018, told Capital that the Czechs are visiting Ethiopia because they have many interests in the country.
“We see Czechs as a strategic destination for several business areas including accessing their industrial technology, which is over one third of their GDP contribution,” he added.
According to the city chamber leader, their technological expertise will contribute to the targeted transformation of Ethiopia.
There are manufacturing industry areas with labor intensive, robotic and smart technology, according to Elias.
“Currently we are focusing on labour intensive industry where they can provide technology,” he said. Czech is one of the major technology providers for the European market and it was one of the top technology providers on the eastern bloc during the cold war era.
According to the chamber head, Czechs want to invest in the country. “They want the growing market, potential, and opportunities like the regional free trade area and free economy of the country, so their interest is growing.”
The delegation of the city chamber also visited the European nation in 2016, while in 2017 business representatives from Ethiopia have also visited the country.