Ethiopia's IT projects provide wide market to Chinese, other foreign Companies: Teferra

Addis Ababa, May 20(ENA)-- Teferra Waluwa Minister of Capacity Building says activities in Ethiopia to expand information technology have provided wide market opportunities to Chinese and other foreign companies, the Ministry of Information told ENA in a press release.

Teferra who is in China on a weeklong official working visit held talks with Zang Chunjiang Chinese Deputy Minister of Information Industry on Tuesday, the release quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing as saying.

Teferra told Chunjiang that Ethiopia has been expending sizable funds in expanding information technology in the country.

Ethiopia's Information and Communication Technology Upgrading Project comprises activities in the areas of telecom, TV, Data distribution and videoconferencing, Teferra said.

Teferra said Ethiopia wants to draw Chinese experiences in the field with a view to producing skilled manpower in the sector, to standardize the technology and to making optimum use of the benefits of information technology.

Chunjiang on his part told the Ethiopian Minister of Capacity Building that China has made a stride in the production of telecommunications and other electronic appliances over the past 20 years.

Among the major Chinese companies operating in Ethiopia in the field are ZTE and Hawie, he said.

He described as visionary the Ethiopian government's activities in the field of information technology.

Chunjiang pledged that China will be sharing relevant experiences with Ethiopia and this can be realized through reciprocal visits by experts teams of counterpart organizations and through sustained consultations.

The Ethiopian delegation led by Minister Teferra Waluwa comprise officials and advisors of capacity building bureaus of the regional states.

During its stay in China, the Ethiopian delegation will hold talks with officials of Chinese organizations in the Technical and Vocational Education, Construction and other sectors, the release said.

The delegation is also scheduled to make field visits to various parts in China.