Ethiopian firms urged to export more products to China

Though China allows Ethiopia to export its 187 various products to its country free of quota and duty, the Horn of Africa country manages to ship only three of the stated produces to China, officials said.

Tekle Gebre-hiywot, senior expert of rule of origin with the Ethiopian Customs Authority, told Xinhua on Sunday that Ethiopian entrepreneurs have been able to export only sesame, leather and leather products as well as incense to China so far through the preferential trade policy granted by the Chinese government to the least developed African countries, including Ethiopia.

He urged Ethiopian entrepreneurs to exert maximum efforts to make use of the opportunity China gave to Ethiopia.

However, Tekele said Ethiopia was the only country from Africa that benefited most from the stated privilege.

Ethiopia exported 869 million birr (about 100 million U.S. dollars) worth products to China during the previous Ethiopian fiscal year (July 2004-July 2005), he said.

Tekle said only few entrepreneurs were enjoying the benefit since China gave the opportunity in January 2005, but now dozens have been benefiting from the privilege.

Accordingly, Ethiopia had exported 776 million birr (89.40 million dollars) worth sesame and over 88.58 million birr (10.21 million dollars) worth leather and leather products as well as incense valued at over 3.76 million birr (433,180 dollars) during the reported period.

Tekle said coffee, natural gum, bee wax, edible oil, horticultural and textile products, precious stones and other organic products were some of the products the Chinese government allows Ethiopia to export into its country free of duty and quota.

Source: Xinhua