On April 11 and 12, 2023, the European chamber in collaboration with the BEIC-GIZ project, which is funded by the EU, organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. The FGD aimed to gather data on four thematic studies the European chamber is conducting, which are in the areas of customs, domestic tax, access to land for FDI outside of the industrial zones, and forex. The FGD brought together independent experts, representatives of various member companies, and relevant government agencies.

The outcome of the FGD will complement the survey and interview data that have been collected and compiled already. A final report on the four thematic areas is being finalized and will be made available for validation in the coming weeks. European chamber sincerely appreciates the active participation of all member companies as well as government agencies throughout the process of the study. Four policy briefs will be drawn out from the outcome of the studies.

 

 

 

EUBFE board of management held productive consultative meeting with the Ethiopian Investment Commissioner HE Commissioner Lelise Neme and Deputy Commissioner Daniel Teressa, in the presence of EU Ambassador to Ethiopia Roland Kobia. Also in the consultation was H.E Ambassador Ababi Demissie, Director General for Foreign Direct Investment and Technology Transfer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consultation revolved around existing challenges faced by member companies and plans for engagement in the coming year 2023. The major issues discussed were sporadic insecurities in some localities faced by some member companies, cement and fuel supply challenges, foreign exchange shortage, customs and tax related issues. The EIC commissioner in her response appreciated the initiative to hold a consultation of this nature and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to continue to support European FDI in general and EUBFE members specifically. To this end, it was agreed that bolstering partnership in the spirit of public-private-dialogue will be key focus in the coming year. In this connection, a joint platform that will be co-chaired by EIC commissioner and the EU Ambassador was established, and it will follow up on all issues raised at the consultation on a quarterly basis.

Following the consultative meeting, cocktail reception was hosted at the rooftop of the commission’s headquarters, where the outcome of the meeting was communicated to EUBFE members by the commissioner and the board chairperson of EUBFE.

EUBFE delegation held meeting with the Minister of Finance- HE Ahmed Shide. Led by the head of cooperation at the EU Delegation Mr. Erik Habers, EUBFE representatives, composed of board chair, executive director and presidents of bilateral member associations presented a summary of the major achievements of EUBFE in its advocacy engagement with a number of ministires. Moreover, the EUBFE delegation outlined keen interest to establish a sustained and structured platform with the Ministry Finance, where the concerns and challenges of member companies can be addressed. Stressing EUBFE's mission of improving the doing business climate in the country, it is currenlty engaged in producing empirical studies that aid policy interventions to this end.

HE Mr. Ahmed Shide on his part appreciated the initiative of EUBFE and outlined key econnomic reforms that led to the opening of the country's economy to FDI. He pledged to assist in resolving any bottlenecks member companies face. The meeting concluded by establishing a team from both sides that would overlook the formalisation of relationship between MoF and EUBFE that would get regular consultation gain traction.  

 

 

Public-Private-Dialogue (PPD), the second round, was held on December 4, 2019 at the Hilton Hotel. EUBFE, as co-chair of the PPD team, worked tirelessly to collect, analyze and depict the major challenges of foreign businesses in Ethiopia. This PPD deliberated on taxation and customs concerns of foreign businesses. PPD was facilitated by the Ethiopian Investment Commission represented by Deputy Commissioners Mrs. Hanna Arayaselassie and Mr. Temesgen Tilahun , along side Mr.Zemede Teferra-State Minister Ministry of Revenue.  Opening remark on the PPD was made by Mr. Ben Depraetere, board chair of EUBFE. In his remark he highlighted the preparation of PPD and appreciated the role EIC and MoR played in making it a reality. He concluded by a encouraging a more sustained dialogue  of such format. Issues on taxation and customs were presented by representatives of the PPD preparation team and responded to by staff from MoR.

The first steering committee meeting of 2019 with Ministry of Revenue was held on August 21, 2019 at the premises of the Headquarters of the Ministry of Revenue (MoR). This collaboration is the result of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between MoR and EUBFE back in May where both parties reierated their commitment to work together to improve tax administration. A number of agenda points were addressed at the meeting chaired by Mr. Nebeyou Samuel, advisor to the mininister. Board members of EUBFE as well as relevant directorates from MoR also took part.

Technical concerns raised and addressed at the meeting include excise tax, fringe benefit calculation, dealing with fraudulent receipts, VAT refund, application of bilateral tax treaties and more. All agenda points tabled at the meeting by EUBFE were addressed point by point. 

Follow up meeting will be held to review any additional issues that may arise. Moreover, decisions passed on this meeting will also be looked into in the subsequent meetings, which are planned to take place quarterly.