On May 31, 2022, the Embassy in collaboration with Beijing Bei Mao Jing Yuan Health Consulting Company hosted a virtual forum focusing on trade and investment in the pharmaceutical sector under the theme “Ethiopia-China Medical Health and Pharmaceutical Trade and Investment”, where more than 45 pharmaceutical companies and more than 100 attendees participated.
In his opening remark, Ambassador Teshome Toga noted that the forum aimed at informing Chinese companies that Ethiopia has made it a priority to work on the pharmaceutical sector development and in doing so encouraging them to invest in Ethiopia. He said, currently, about two-thirds of all Chinese companies in Ethiopia are engaged in the manufacturing sector to which it shows the enduring confidence of investors in the Ethiopian market and potentials. He added that the government has designated Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industrial Park in Addis Ababa, which is fully dedicated industrial park for pharmaceutical manufacturing and heighted on the many market opportunities for Chinese companies there exists. He also called on the Companies to make a pre-investment visit and invest in Ethiopia.
Ambassador Gebeyehu Ganga, Director-General of Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted on the strong diplomatic relationship between the two countries for more than half a century and recalled on the elevation of their diplomatic ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (CSCP) in 2017. Furthermore, he noted that China is Ethiopia’s primary investment source and major financier of its development projects. Furthermore, he extended the government’s appreciation for the Chinese Government and Chinese companies for their extensive contribution to Ethiopia’s economic development and reassured the companies that the government will provide all the necessary support to ensure their success.
Ms. Shi Lili – CEO of Beijing Bei Mao Jing Yuan Health Consulting Company, on her part told her happiness to collaborate with the Embassy on the successful organization of the forum and expressed her appreciation of the Ethiopian government for the due attention and priority it gave to the development of the Pharmaceutical sector. She added that, given Ethiopia is a seat of the African Union (AU) and multiple other international diplomatic institutions, coupled with its geographical location makes it a favorable investment destination and said that she is committed to encouraging more Chinese companies to invest in Ethiopia.
Officials from Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Authority and Ethiopian Investment Commission made presentations regarding the focus Ethiopia gave to the pharmaceutical sector development and to the potential market opportunities of the country to foreign investors in the sector.
