Anwar arrives in Ethiopia for three-day official visit

ADDIS ABABA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in the capital city of Ethiopia here for an official visit to strengthen ties and cooperation – not just with this country but also with the African continent.

The special flight carrying the Prime Minister and his entourage, which included Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and businessmen arrived at Bole International Airport at 4.10pm (9.10pm Malaysia Time) on Tuesday (Nov 18).

Anwar was met on arrival by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali with children waving flags to a local song and “Saya Anak Malaysia”.

Anwar will have back-to-back programmes in Addis Ababa, including meetings with Abiy and President Taye Atske Selassie.

He will also be addressing the Pan-African Youth Union and Ethiopia Youth Council.

The visit is historical as it is the first time a Malaysian Prime Minister is visiting Ethiopia.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Ethiopia stood at RM446.8mil, with exports from Malaysia to Ethiopia valued at RM358.6mil, representing a 24.6% increase from the previous year.

Malaysia’s exports to Ethiopia comprise electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm-based agricultural products and textiles.