RAWALPINDI: Ethiopian Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula has urged the Pakistani business community to invest in his country as it offered comparative advantage in the form of key geographical location, cheap and clean energy and skilled human resource.

He was speaking during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Sunday.

Mr Abdula said a preferential trade agreement between Pakistan and Ethiopia was indispensable for the promotion of mutual trade and extended a cordial invitation to the RCCI president and his team to join the upcoming delegation scheduled for May 26.

The ambassador provided an insightful overview of Ethiopia, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and economic development initiatives.

He said Ethiopia wanted to establish strong trade relations with Pakistan as it would offer it vast opportunities to promote exports to Africa. The key sectors are textiles, pharmaceuticals and other products which have a great demand in Ethiopia, he said, adding that Pakistan’s business community must try to take full advantage of the opportunities. He also said a high-level Ethiopian delegation would visit Pakistan in a few months.

RCCI President Saqib Rafiq briefed the ambassador on the ongoing activities of the chamber, saying that Pakistan was prioritising trade with African countries under the ‘Look Africa Policy’.

The chamber’s senior vice president, Mohammad Hamza Sarosh, vice president Faisal Shahzad, former presidents and members of the chamber were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2024