The Ethiopia-Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum officially opened today in Addis Ababa, marking an important milestone in bilateral relations and bringing together senior government officials, diplomats, and business leaders from both countries.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe, underscored the Forum’s role in further strengthening longstanding ties between Ethiopia and Brazil, describing it as a significant step in advancing bilateral cooperation.

“This is an opportunity to reflect on our shared past, assess our dynamic present, and chart an ambitious future for trade and economic partnership,” he stated. He also commended the notable economic progress achieved by both countries in recent years.

Ambassador Meles Alem, Director General for European and American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, highlighted the enduring relationship between the two nations.

He noted that the historical ties between Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, and Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, provides a solid foundation for enhanced knowledge and technology exchange.

He further emphasized complementarities between Brazil’s expertise in environmental sciences and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, as well as Ethiopia’s diversified economy, competitive agricultural sector, and growing industrial and export capacity.

Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen, underscored that the Forum is a key platform to ensure a sustained economic partnership between the two countries.

He outlined Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, the development of export-oriented industrial parks, and the Government’s commitment to supporting Brazilian investors, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and value-added industries.

Ambassador Jandir Ferreira dos Santos, Ambassador of Brazil to Ethiopia, noted that bilateral relations have gained renewed momentum following the two countries’ joint membership in BRICS. He highlighted expanding cooperation in cotton production and sustainable development, as well as long-term collaboration in agriculture, renewable energy, and technology.

Ambassador Alex Giacomelli, Director of Trade Promotion at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described Ethiopia as an emerging economic hub in Africa and emphasized that the Forum seeks to strengthen supply chains, reduce costs, and expand technical cooperation between the two countries.

The Ethiopia-Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum is described as the largest trade and investment event held between the two nations to date. The Forum also featured the signing of cooperation agreements on investment promotion and agricultural technical collaboration.