Trade between Poland, Ethiopia should be increased, say presidents
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
08.05.2017 14:22
Trade between Poland and Ethiopia has the potential to be much higher and should be increased, the presidents of the two countries said in Addis Ababa on Monday.
Andrzej Duda (left) and Mulatu Teshome at the presidential palace in Addis Ababa. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
Polish President Andrzej Duda met his counterpart Mulatu Teshome during the second day of a visit to Ethiopia aimed at drumming up business with Africa.
Teshome pointed out that trade between the two nations is currently worth around USD 36 million which, he said, is well below potential.
Duda agreed, adding that Poland is a big market in Europe, as is Ethiopia in Africa.
He voiced hope that trade between the two countries would increase to a level of hundreds of millions of dollars.
"I would like Polish companies to invest in Ethiopia - to invest literally but also to invest in Ethiopians. I would like Polish goods to appear in Ethiopian stores, but to be produced in Ethiopia," Duda said, referring to Polish agricultural products being processed in Ethiopia.
He added: "I would like Polish business and the Polish state to contribute to the development of Ethiopia, while making a profit at the same time. I hope Polish brands will become recognizable in Ethiopia."
Duda earlier visited a plant operated by Polish tractor manufacturer Ursus in Ethiopia, and encouraged more companies to invest in Africa.
On Tuesday, the final day of his visit to Ethiopia, Duda will seek African backing for Poland's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN security council for 2018-2019, voting on which will take place in June.
(pk)
Source: PAP/IAR