Rawalpindi (Khyber Mail): A high-profile business forum was held at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Wednesday, aiming to mobilize Pakistan’s business community for the upcoming Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, scheduled for May 15–17, 2025.
Dr. Jemal Beker, Ethiopia’s Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary, co-chaired the session alongside RCCI President Usman Shaukat. The forum was graced by Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Chief Guest, and Nudrat Hussain, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, as Guest of Honor.
Jointly organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad, the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and RCCI, the event brought together prominent stakeholders and entrepreneurs eager to explore opportunities in the African market.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Jemal called on Pakistani businesses to tap into the immense trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia and across Africa. He emphasized that the Single Country Exhibition would coincide with the high-level ‘Invest in Ethiopia’ forum on May 12–13, 2025 — a major platform featuring business leaders from across the continent.
“These events offer Pakistani companies a rare chance to engage directly with not only Ethiopian counterparts but stakeholders from the broader African market — a continent with over 1.4 billion people and rich natural resources,” said the Ambassador. He highlighted Ethiopia’s appeal as an investment destination, citing its clean energy access, affordable and skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies. He also noted the presence of dedicated industrial zones in key sectors like textiles, IT, and pharmaceuticals.
RCCI President Usman Shaukat encouraged participants to seize this opportunity, describing Ethiopia as an untapped market ripe with potential. “The Single Country Exhibition will open new doors for Pakistani businesses, particularly SMEs, to expand globally,” he said.
Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan emphasized the importance of diversifying markets for Pakistani exports and praised the economic reforms in Ethiopia under Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. He called Africa a “continent of the future” and urged businesses to take bold steps toward expansion.
Nudrat Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening ties with African nations under the ‘Look Africa’ and ‘Engage Africa’ policies. “The Addis Ababa exhibition is not just an event—it is a strategic initiative aligned with Pakistan’s long-term goals of fostering economic diplomacy with Africa,” she said.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs across industries, signaling growing interest in exploring new markets beyond traditional trade partners. The upcoming exhibition is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment flows between Pakistan and Ethiopia.