State MinFin Discuss with Head of French Treasury’s Direct Financing

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s Finance ministry and French Treasury officials discussed strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries.

The discussion took place between State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew and the visiting French Treasury’s Head of Direct Financing Arthur Bauer on Wednesday.

Semereta welcomed Bauer and his delegation stating the visit would bolster the cooperation between the two countries in different areas such as strengthening the private sector, Energy, Agriculture, Civil Aviation, SMEs, and water sectors.

The state minister further explained her country’s plan for growth and development which, she said, encourages private sector investments in areas of agro-processing, textile, and financial sectors and puts more effort into job creation by supporting SMEs.

Bauer mentioned that France is collaborating with the European Investment Bank (EIB), and other multilateral financial institutions exploring ways to increase grants, and concessional loans and encourage private sector investment in Ethiopia.

The meeting was a crucial step in strengthening relations between Ethiopia and France, and both parties expressed their commitment to continue working together to achieve mutual goals, according to the Ministry of Finance.

It comes days after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and French President Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines of the Compact with Africa Summit.

“Our strengthened relations and multifaceted cooperation continues to be anchored in trust and mutual interests for sustained development,” PM Abiy said after his bilateral meeting with Macron on Monday.
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Ethiopia and France have more than 125 years of relationship.