AMN PLUS-June 26, 2026
The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has held bilateral talks with the newly appointed Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Ethiopia, Ashraf Khodjaev(PhD), aimed at strengthening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration Tazer Gebre-Egziabher noted that although Ethiopia and Uzbekistan have enjoyed long-standing diplomatic relations, their trade and investment partnership has yet to reach its full potential.
He briefed the Uzbek delegation on Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, which are designed to attract foreign direct investment and further liberalize the country’s financial sector.
The State Minister also highlighted that Ethiopia is in the final stage of its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, he emphasized that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides Uzbekistan with a strategic gateway to access the broader African market.
For his part, Ambassador Khodjaev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Ethiopia.
He stated that his country is interested in importing Ethiopian coffee, sesame, oilseeds, fruits, as well as meat and livestock products on a large scale.
The Ambassador further noted strong interest among Uzbek investors in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, including plans to assemble agricultural machinery locally, introduce water conservation and drip irrigation technologies, and establish an integrated textile cluster covering the entire value chain from cotton cultivation to textile production.
He also announced plans to bring a high-level trade and business delegation, including representatives of Uzbek companies, to Ethiopia in the near future to advance trade and investment cooperation.
The two sides concluded the meeting by agreeing to work closely to translate their significant economic potential into tangible results.
They identified key priorities including strengthening institutional cooperation, establishing regular trade and economic dialogue mechanisms, fostering stronger links between private sector investors, and enhancing the exchange of market information and business opportunities.
By Leta Teresa
