"INDIATECH 2003" exhibition opens

Addis Ababa, April 14(ENA)-- The bilateral trade relation between Ethiopia and India, which have enjoyed long-standing economic and cultural ties, has been steadily increasing, Minister of State for Trade and Industry said here on Monday.

Tadesse Haile made the remark opening a four-day "INDIATECH 2003" Indian Engineering Products and Technology Exhibition organized by Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC)-India in cooperation with the Embassy of India in Ethiopia.

The fact that Ethiopia is chosen by the Government of India as the venue for "INDIATECH 2003" is a clear demonstration of the close, friendly and traditional relations between the two countries, the Minister of State said.

He said the exhibition was believed to have a significant contribution in sharing experiences between the business communities of the two countries.

Tadesse said it would also enable members of the Indian Delegation and their Ethiopian counterparts to discuss business opportunities and market access and facilitate the transfer of technology.

Such a cooperation, according to Tadesse, would further strengthen the trade and economic relationships of the two countries.

Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Jordana Diengdoh Pavel said on her part that "INDIATECH 2003" is an initiative that brings to Ethiopia latest, affordable and relevant technology in Indian engineering industry.

India's Africa Focus Program, which the Ambassador said is a move to enhance trade with major partner countries, focuses on major product groups. These items include cotton yarn, fabrics and other textile produces, drugs and pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, transport equipment and telecom and information technology.

Ethiopia is one of the major trading partners of India, the others being Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana, which together constitute 69 per cent of India's total bilateral trade with Sub-Saharan Africa, she indicated.

Birhane Mewa, President of the Ethiopian and Addis Ababa Chambers of Commerce on the occasion called for increased participation of Indian entrepreneurs in trade and investment in Ethiopia, which he said is a country "tremendously socially stable".

Government officials, invited guests and Indian community members were present at the occasion.

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