EUBFE Held Meeting with Ministry of Finance
Ethiopian Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide held talks today with EUBFE delegation led by the Cooperation Head for EU Delegation to Ethiopia, Erik Habers, on ways of strengthening financial and economic cooperation between the two sides.
During the meeting, the two sides are ready to work for a favorable investment climate in Ethiopia through the joint forum.
EUBFE representatives have also pledged to help Ethiopia to become an ideal investment destination and regular talks will be held with the Ministry of Finance to achieve this goal.
Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said on his part Ethiopia attaches great importance to its cooperation with the European Union and other European countries.
He further stated that Ethiopia is committed to working closely with the EUBFE and having a consultative meeting at least twice a year for the benefit of both parties.
Speaking on the ongoing economic reform that Ethiopia has embarked on, Ahmed noted that the reforms are being intensified and the government is committed to increasing the participation of the private sector in the reform process.
He stated the recent involvement of private sectors as well as foreign companies with strong experience and potential in the telecom sector of the country as a showcase of the government’s commitment in this regard.
The Minister told the delegates that essential efforts will be made by the Ministry of Finance to ease all forms of bottlenecks that faced EUBFE member companies in their day-to-day activities in Ethiopia.
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.
