
The Ethio-Turkish Business and Investment Forum jointly organized by WAFA Marketing and Promotion, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA) in collaboration with the FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Ethiopia in Turkey and the Turkish Ministry of Economy (DEIK) was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 27 and 28 April 2015.
The Forum, which brought together top executives and key decision makers representing both the private and publics sectors aims to be the largest gathering of Turkish and Ethiopian economic movers and stakeholders. The summit brought together prominent business leaders and associations, government officials and business people who will discuss a range of issues on fostering investment and trade through B2B, B2G, market linkages and plenary sessions among others.
Delegates of over 60 private and public sectors comprised of Textile/garment, leather and leather products, manufacturing, chemical industries, construction, agriculture and agro-processing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, furniture selected in their business excellence and pertinent government ministries and institutions officials including the State Minister of FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E Dewano Kedir took part in the forum. The delegation was led by H.E. Ahmed Abitew, Minister , FDRE Ministry of Industry.
The primary objective of the Business and Investment forum was to attract Turkish investors in the above mentioned specific sectors. The forum was believed to strengthen the Turkish and Ethiopian private sector partnership. In addition to this, it provided a platform for public and private sector partnership, a policy dialogue with Turkish and Ethiopian decision makers. The business and investment forum also showcases the new investment opportunities and potential market Ethiopia has to offer to the business community of Turkey.
The envisaged forum was part of the activities to promote Ethiopian business, investment, trade and tourism potentials in different parts of the world. Similar forums have already taken place in the USA, four times (2009, 2011, 2013,2014) , 2014, Italy (2012), UK (2011), India (2011), Japan (2013), Russia (2013), South Korea (2013) , and Germany (2014) Canada (2014) .
