ADDIS ABABA, 5th March, 2018 (WAM) — The second UAE-Ethiopian Joint Committee began today in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and will continue until 7th March.

The preparatory meeting of the Committee’s senior officials was headed by Mohammed Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Economic and Trade Affairs, and Ambassador Suleiman Dedefo, Director General of the Middle East Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

At the start of the meeting, both sides praised the deep and solid relations between the UAE and Ethiopia while highlighting the importance of such meetings in developing their bilateral relations and continuing the work of the Committee and adopting its recommendations.

Sharaf affirmed that the leadership of both countries have prioritised their relationship, which is based on mutual respect while praising the key role of the Ethiopian government in maintaining security in the Horn of Africa.

On an economic level, Sharaf highlighted the exceptional relations between the two countries while adding that the UAE was the second leading destination for Ethiopian exports to the Middle East and North Africa in 2016, and the ninth internationally during the same year.

The UAE is also the ninth leading exporter to Ethiopia in 2016, which reflects the growing importance of their commercial relations.

In terms of direct investments, Sharaf pointed out that the value of UAE investments in Ethiopia between 2003 and 2017 reached around US$523 million while predicting further growth in the coming years.

The Committee is an effective platform for developing the bilateral relations between the UAE and Ethiopia on various levels and in all economic sectors, through offering suggestions and practical solutions to strengthen their co-operation and overcome the challenges that might limit their relations.

On the meeting’s sidelines, various sub-committees were formed by both sides to discuss the topics on the meeting’s agenda, as well as the prospects of further co-operation and the means of developing them.

The UAE delegation included representatives of several ministries, government authorities and companies, which are the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Department of Civil Aviation- Sharjah, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Dar Al Ber Society, Mubadala, Masdar, Crescent Petroleum, DP World, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, flydubai, Air Arabia and Oumolat Security Printing.