Ethiopia-Bangladesh Relation
Historical Background
Ethiopia and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in
1975. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has been growing. Bangladesh opened
its Embassy in Addis Ababa in March 2016. , Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi is the one accredited to Bangladesh. To
further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries, Ethiopia
has appointed an honorary consulate in Bangladesh.
A Bangladeshi delegation led by a Parliament member honorable
Mr. Al-Haji Emdaul Haque Bhuina visited Ethiopia from December 14-16/1999 and
met with the then Speaker of the House of Peoples Representative, State
Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Development Authority,
Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association chairperson and Ethiopian Chamber of
Commerce and Sectoral Association, discussed how to strengthen the trade
relationship between the two countries.
In addition, a Bangladeshi delegation led by H.E. Mr.A.S.M
Abdur. Rob, Minister for Bangladesh Livestock and Fishery visited Ethiopia from
March 7-12/2001 and met with officials of International Livestock Research Institute,
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research and Ethiopian Institute
of Agricultural Research and dairy development enterprises, discussed on how to
further, cooperate in the aforementioned sectors.
Current Relations
Political
Recently Ethiopian delegation led
by H E Ambassador Mahlet -Hailu Permanent Secretary of Europe,
America, Asia, and Multilateral Affairs visited Bangladesh
from November 25-28 /2019 and signed an ‘MoU on Political Consultations between
Bangladesh & Ethiopia’
Trade
Export (by Bangladesh)
Volume– approx. USD 750,000 for2017-18;
Import (by Bangladesh) Volume – approx. USD
150,000 for 2017-18
The
main export items of Bangladeshi to Ethiopia; include Pharmaceutical
products - Plastic Products - Plastic goods’; Raw Jute & Jute
products-; Fashion clothing etc
Investment
Investment is one of the areas where the two countries are
working together with a few Bangladeshi companies already invested in Ethiopia,
the biggest of which is the DBL group (in Mekele); nearly 18 companies have
lined up to invest or started operating in the Industrial Parks located at
different areas of the country. However, there are opportunities to invest
more, particularly, in the backward linkage industries of RMG sector; Leather Processing & Leather
Products; Dairy ; Poultry;
Fishing; Packaging; Hotel & Resort; Restaurant;
Lessons
for Ethiopia from the Economic and
Social Development of Bangladesh
·
Technology and innovation: Bangladesh and Ethiopia may cooperate in the
Technical and IT sector for mutual benefits; Bangladesh may share its
innovations and creative solutions to Ethiopia; Like other African countries,
Bangladeshi experts may come to develop the IT sector and IT-based services in
different sectors in Ethiopia;
·
Garment Industry:
Bangladesh is known for its Readymade Garment (RMG) industry. For instance, in
2015, the country exports RMG worth USD 26 billion. The sector covers 14% of
the country’s GDP and 80% of its export value.
·
Pharmaceuticals:
Bangladesh has developed advanced experience in the pharmaceutical sector. The
country earned close to USD 2 billion from exporting pharmaceutical products in
2016. The country also covers 97% of its demand for pharmaceuticals from local
production and saves large amount of foreign currency. The sector showed a
25.5% growth for the last 7 years.
·
Fishery and fish production: Bangladesh has better experience in fishery production.
The country ranked third in the world on fishery production, next to China and
India. The sector covers 23% of the GDP of its agricultural production.
·
Social and Human Development: Bangladesh achieved
significant progress in human development through universal free education,
rural health program, and poverty alleviation. Three of the world’s
biggest NGOs are of Bangladeshi origin. World’s Number-1 NGO, BRAC has
110-million clients. They are operating not only in Bangladesh but also
globally including many countries in Africa.
