World Trade Center (WTC) Navi Mumbai in association with the Ethiopian Consulate, IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Raigad Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the D Y Patil University School of Management conducted a Country Seminar entitled “Doing Business with Ethiopia – A Gateway to Africa” on April 11, 2019, at the WTC, Navi Mumbai. It was attended by nearly 100 participants drawn from different sectors including industry , business and shipping and education services.
His Excellency Mr. Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, Consul General of Ethiopia, made presentation on the investment and trade opportunities in Ethiopia with focus on priority sectors such as agro processing, textile and garment, Pharmaceuticals, foot wears and leather products. He extensively dwelt with favourable conducive market and economic factors, fiscal and non – fiscal incentive packages, especially in the newly established clustered industrial parks in Ethiopia. Highlighting the active participation of Indians in diverse investment sectors, especially more than 13 companies in textile and garment, he called upon participants to join their business colleagues by participating on priority sectors in the industrial parks. Elaborating Ethiopia as a gateway to Africa, Consul General cited the exemplary role of Ethiopia Airlines, offering convenient network connecting Africa and Indian via more than 110 international destinations, by bringing people and business of Africa together and also Africa with India.
Mr. Jayant Ghate, Advisor, WTC Navi Mumbai while welcoming the participants said about WTC Navi Mumbai and how it promotes Trade Education, Trade Services and conducting training programs and Seminars amongst its members and associates. He also added that India and Ethiopia have trade and investment relations since 6th Century and have similar economies in terms of growth.
Moreover, Mr. R.K. Jain, Chairman of IMC – Navi Mumbai Committee, Mr. Suresh Babu , Executive Director, Raigad Chamber of commerce and Industry, Mr. Bhaskar Dastidar, Associate, WTC Navi Mumbai and Prof. Dr. R. Gopal, Director, D Y Patil University School of Management, made presentations on the importance of doing business with Ethiopia and Africa. They urged the participants to take advantage of the immense opportunities existing in Ethiopia. Furthermore, they encouraged their members to join business delegation to Ethiopia, to be organized by WTC Navi Mumbai. Besides business ties, Prof. Dr. R. Gopal, D.Y Patil University, dealt with the education aspect of the relationship and expressed the readiness of his university for students and academic exchange program.
The event provided B2B meeting opportunities to all the attending participants with the Consul General and also amongst themselves. It was a great success. Few business opportunities in terms of Ethiopian Coffee and Indian Stationary Items like Ballpoint Pens were immediately discussed and realised as well and announced towards end of the Seminar