ANKARA/ADDIS ABABA (AA) - Turkey-Ethiopia Joint Economic Commission's (JEC) 3rd meeting started in Addis Ababa on Monday.
Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretariat stated that Turkish delegation will be chaired by Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, while Ethiopian delegation will be headed by Trade & Industry Minister Birru Girma, during the meeting.
Delegations will assess current commercial and economic relations between two countries besides measures that can be taken to develop bilateral trade. Free Trade Agreement between two countries, and cooperation possibilities on agriculture, industry, energy, transportation, communication, contracting & consultancy services, banking, health and tourism areas will also be taken up during the meeting.
Transportation Minister Yildirim will have separate talks with Ethiopian Ministers of Industry & Trade, Finance & Economic Development, Water Resources, Infrastructure & Transportation on the margin of the JEC meeting.
Ethiopia is an important country for Turkey willing to open Eastern Africa. Turkey's export to Ethiopia in 2003 amounted 50 million U.S. dollars and imports amounted 20 million U.S. dollars.
(GC-ULG)
2005-01-10