ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian officials said China-initiated development cooperation frameworks with Africa are bearing fruits by promoting sustainable development, enhancing regional connectivity and driving economic transformation across the continent.
During the Ethiopia-China Economic and Trade Forum held Monday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Ethiopian officials spoke highly of China-Africa cooperation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Negus Kebede, director-general of Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the FOCAC has been fostering sustainable development, peace, and security across Africa.
Noting that China is a key investor in Ethiopia's industrial sector, with over 3,000 projects generating nearly 600,000 jobs for Ethiopians, Kebede said the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, a flagship project under BRI, is driving regional integration in Africa.
"We Africans appreciate China's support in easing their countries' debt burden through multilateral and bilateral channels, as well as its role in fostering educational, cultural, and technological exchanges through scholarships, vocational training, and research partnerships," he said.
He noted that the China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence in Addis Ababa is another commendable initiative, serving as a platform to drive sustainable industrialization, advance agricultural modernization, and enhance skill development across Africa.
Noting that China granted zero-tariff policy to the least-developed countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing, Ethiopia's State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Yasmin Wohabrebbi said the majority of African countries are benefiting from the policy and selling their products in the Chinese market.
The state minister also hailed China's commitment to expanding e-commerce and digital cooperation with Africa.
"As the largest trading partner and significant investor, China plays a pivotal role in Ethiopia's economic transformation. Ethiopia remains committed to strengthening its all-weather strategic partnership under the BRI and the FOCAC," she said.
According to the state minister, China is currently a strategic trading partner of Ethiopia, ranking ninth in purchasing Ethiopian products while holding the leading position in supplying various goods to the Ethiopian market.
Data from the ministry shows that Ethiopia's main exports to China include coffee, oilseeds, leather and leather products, cotton, and yarn. Meanwhile, Ethiopia imports a range of products from China, including vehicles, textiles and apparel, machinery, and footwear.
Ethiopian Investment Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen said that China has been Ethiopia's key development partner, playing an instrumental role in infrastructural development, industrialization and technological advancement.
He said that China stands as Ethiopia's largest trading partner with Chinese enterprises participating in various sectors including manufacturing, construction, energy and telecommunications.
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