RH.AdisAbaba : The government of Ethiopia and Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreeing to establish Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) hub in Ethiopia.
The eWTP hub is intended to facilitate cross-border trade, provide smart logistic services, assist Ethiopian small and micro enterprises (SMEs) to reach global markets, and provide talent training.
The agreement was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr-Ing Getahun Mekuria and Alibaba Group Director and Ant Financial Services Group Chairman and CEO, Eric Jing, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and the Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.
Following the signing ceremony, Minister for Innovation and Technology Getahun Mekuria said the new initiative will serve as a springboard for Ethiopia to stride in the development of the global digital economy.
“This engagement will greatly contribute to trade facilitation and open markets to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) not only in Ethiopia but in the wider region,” he said.
Moreover, the platform helps to transform the lives of many Ethiopians and would also assist the country’s vision of becoming one of the top five African economies over the coming 10 years.
Jack Ma said he was inspired to launch the platform in Ethiopia and has a keen interest in working with entrepreneurs and SMEs from Ethiopia and other African nations to seize the opportunities provided by the digital era.
The Electronic World Trade Platform will allow Ethiopia to trade its commodities via the Alibaba Group.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy for his part said the platform would contribute a lot to the country by introducing new working practices, increasing the involvement of the private sector and providing market information.
Moreover, it would also assist Ethiopia’s target of becoming one of the top five African economies over the coming 10 years and for the efficient and transparent delivery of customs services, he added.
Jack Ma said he was inspired to launch the platform here because of the Ethiopian Government’s great attention to digital technology.
The Electronic World Trade Platform will allow Ethiopia to trade its commodities via the Alibaba Group.
“We will continue to support the creation of a more inclusive, digitally-enabled global economy, where small businesses can participate in global trade. We look forward to working together with entrepreneurs and SMEs from Ethiopia and other African nations to seize the opportunities provided by the digital era,” Eric Jing, Alibaba Group Director and Int Financial Services Group Chairman and CEO has said.
source. Azega.com