Ambassador Teshome Toga held virtual bilateral talks with Mr. Gao Jian, Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation Department of the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC), by 24 March 2022 on ways of further enhancing China’s development assistance to Ethiopia.
During the discussion, Ambassador Teshome recalled that Ethiopia is a very active member and is amongst the first signatories of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He reiterated the importance of the BRI, particularly to the Horn of Africa in fast tracking infrastructural connectivity and economic integration in the region and said it can be witnessed by the Addis Ababa-Djibouti electrified railway flagship project. He also noted that Ethiopia needs more development assistance from China especially in the post COVID-19 recovery period.
Mr. Gao Jian on his part reiterated that Ethiopia and China share a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and that the two countries have an in-depth experience in development cooperation. He noted that China stands ready and committed to offer more development assistance to Ethiopia and said NDRC will encourage more Chinese companies to invest In Ethiopia
