attracting much interest from foreign
direct investors (FDI). This in turn
creates much needed jobs for Ethio-
pian citizens, especially the young
population.
We strongly encourage Ethiopian
citizens and Ethio-Americans resid-
ing in Texas to engage and take ad-
vantage of the opportunity in Ethio-
pia’s rapidly growing economy. Some
Ethiopians residing in Texas are al-
ready doing so by investing in their
country of origin. The fact that the
government has opened up the doors
for investment has encouraged Ethi-
opians in the Diaspora to return and
invest in Ethiopia.
ers ($197.0 million in 2016), pulps
($232.5 million in 2016), live ani-
mals ($160 million in 2016), leather
and leather products ($120.6 million
in 2016), meat and meat products
($74.1 million in 2016).
There are a group of Ethiopian doc-
tors who organized and formed a
non-profit called the “Global Initia-
tive for better Health”. Their goal is
to help in the country’s healthcare
system by partnering with local gov-
ernment and non-government hos-
pitals implementing health care proj-
ects.
sure that today’s Ethiopia’s Rising
narrative is not a passing meme but a
solid and lasting reality. The Ethiopia
we want is clearly visible on the ho-
rizon, and today more than ever be-
fore, we see the clearest path to travel
together.
Heidi: Hon. Kebede holds leadership
positions in numerous professional and
industry organizations including the In-
ternational Trade Center, Houston May-
or’s International Communities’ Board
Member, Executive Board Member Try-
bus Bridgetex Ethiopia P.L.C, Board
of Manager Africap, LLC, and he is a
member of the African Chamber of Com-
merce, Greater Houston Partnership, and
Corporate Council on Africa, American
Institute of Banking.
“Texas Africa Summit”
Hon. Kebede: In February 2010, I
spearheaded the creation of the Texas
Africa Business Summit where six
African Ambassadors and over 800
businesses participated in the success-
ful business summit on Texas Africa
trade and investment potential op-
Heidi: That brings up the next question.
Similarly, a non-profit organization portunities, every 2 years. The Sum-
How is the Ethiopian business commu-
nity positioning itself to help Americans, funded by many concerned Ethiopi- mit brings the new stories of Africa
ans called “Stream of Hope” is pro- to the world forefront, policy makers
specifically in this case, Texans, to do
viding clean sanitary water for rural and government officials from across
business in Ethiopia?
Ethiopian Villages.
the country in order to discuss chal-
lenges to doing business and bolster
Hon. Kebede: With a population of
Ethiopia
Rising:
Building
private investments. I am the presi-
90 million, Ethiopia is the second
dent and founder of the Texas Africa
most populous country in Africa and bridges with Investment
Summit, and next year in 2019, we
one of the largest untapped markets and Trade
on the continent. With the popula- The recent Ethiopian policy shift is are planning to bring more than 6
tion expected to reach 100 million the latest of several changes imple- African heads of state to Houston. I
by 2020, it presents a huge econom- mented by Ethiopia’s new govern- have not had a very committed team,
ic opportunity in the East-African ment, led by His Excellency Prime and it takes time and resources to
region. It is also one of the fastest Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the plan such an event. I am asking Val
growing non-oil economies on the youngest head of government in and iF magazine to work with us on
continent. The economy has regis- Africa. Since taking office in April, that.
tered sustained growth rates in excess 2018, his vision for the country has
of 10 percent for over a decade, com- received the admiration and respect Heidi: We are looking forward to having
pared to the regional average of 5.4%. of the Ethiopian people and interna- you speak at our Global Trade Confer-
ence and to working with you on the
Ethiopia’s continuously improving tional community.
Texas Africa Summit.
business environment, coupled with
This
was
a
historic
moment
for
all
a wide range of incentive packages
put in place by the Government, is of us who are committed to making
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