Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Ethiopia and Djibouti are preparing a mutual strategic plan in a bid to build economic integration, Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Suleiman Dedefo said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Ambassador said the strong trade relation and trust built between the countries is leading to economic integration.
Experts' committee will be formed soon to monitor implementation of the strategic plan, he said.
Ambassador Suleiman further stated that the trade relation between the two countries is beyond competition; it is rather a complementary one that intends to ensure the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two nation.
The Ambassador noted that Djibouti has provided over one million USD to support construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a multibillion hydropower project being built to generate over 6,000mw power.
For his part, Djiboutian Ambassador to Ethiopia Mohammed Idriss Farah said Ethiopia is one of the strategic partners of Djibouti.
Because of the strengthened and growing people to people and economic ties, the two countries have reached the stage to enter into economic integration, he stated.
The Ethio-Djibouti railway network, electricity supply, road and other infrastructure developments to interconnect the two countries manifest the strong relation, he added.
He indicated that the two countries are closely working in fighting terrorism, contraband trade and other cross border crimes.
According to reports, Djibouti is one of the major destinations for Ethiopia's export items. It has imported items valued at over 138 million USD from Ethiopia during the first half of the current budget year.
Cement, food items, agricultural and industrial products, vegetables and fruits, chat, livestock, bottled water and beverages are the major items which Djibouti primarily imports from Ethiopia.
Some 90 percent of Ethiopia's export trade activities of are being carried out via the port of Djibouti.