On March 30th, 2010, the Launching Ceremony of the Representative Office of China Africa Development Fund (CADF) in
Herewith is the Speech by Mr. Wei Hongtian and the Congratulatory Message from H.E. Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minster of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at the opening ceremony.
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of CADF Representative Office in Ethiopia
Mr. Wei Hongtian
Charge d' Affairs Of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia
Your Excellency Mr. Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia,
Your Excellency Mr. Girma Birru, Minister of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia,
Your Excellencies, State Ministers,
Your Excellency Mr. Haile-Kiros, Ambassador of Ethiopia to China,
Mr.Chi Jianxin, CEO of CAD FUND
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
It is my great honor to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Representative Office of China Africa Development Fund (CAD Fund) in Addis Ababa. Please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, to extend warmest congratulations to the opening of the Office and express my high appreciation to all of you present here this evening.
The year 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ethiopia. Our two countries have been enjoying a very cordial relationship in the past four decades, and we have witnessed the rapid development and fruitful achievements of cooperation in various fields between China and Ethiopia over recent years. China has continued to provide development assistance to Ethiopia within its capability. The bilateral trade volume in 2009 registered a new record of 1.4 billion US Dollars. The Chinese investment in Ethiopia is increasing steadily. I would like to emphasize that the cooperation between China and Ethiopia is a win-win cooperation based on equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and common development.
We are very happy to see that Ethiopia has made remarkable achievements in economic development and nation-building with double-digit GDP growth over the past 6 years. It is no doubt that the fast development of Ethiopia economy will create new opportunities for deepening Sino-Ethiopia cooperation. And I believe more and more Chinese Companies will come to Ethiopia to seek business opportunities and to make positive contribution to the further economic and social progress of Ethiopia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The establishment of CAD Fund was one of the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2006, and the Fourth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC was successfully held in Sham El Sheikh of Egypt last November, in which Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao announced the "New Eight Measures" for further promoting cooperation between China and Africa.
The cooperation between China and Ethiopia in the field of banking and financial sectors reflects the excellent relations between the two countries. Till now, Ethiopia has the most investment projects and the biggest investment amount from CAD Fund. The Fund has already committed 4 projects in Ethiopia, including the Hansom Glass Factory, the East Cement Plant, the Tannery Plant, and a commitment of investment in a hotel with the Ethiopian Airlines.
This Evening, we are gathering here to witness the launching of the CAD Fund Representative Office in Addis Ababa, which is the first one in this region. This does not only show the confidence of the CAD Fund in Ethiopia and its willingness to expand its mutual cooperation with Ethiopian local business, but also shows the Chinese Government's commitment and concrete follow-up action to implement the "New Eight Measure". I have no doubt that Ethiopian government and enterprises would seize this opportunity, and I am sure it will add new momentum to the friendly relation and cooperation between China and Ethiopia and be much beneficial to the social and economic development of Ethiopia.
The Chinese Government cherishes the Sino-Ethiopian friendship and is ready to further enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation for our common development and the well-being of our two people. What the CAD Fund is doing here is a very important component part of the overall good cooperation between our two countries. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia will spare no efforts and try its best to assist and facilitate the work of CAD Fund Representative Office, and to encourage and support more Chinese companies to join the cause. We are confident that with the join efforts of our two sides, the Sino-Ethiopian bilateral relation and cooperation will further deepen and the Ethiopian people will make even more achievements.
Thank you!
CONGRATALTION MESSAGE OF
H.E. PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAWI
The establishment of China-Africa Development Fund that was announced by President Hu Jintao of China at the Beijing Summit of China-Afirca Forum in November 2006, is and important step in further promoting the cooperation between China and Africa. In this regard it gives me a great pleasure that CADF is now establishing a Representative Office here in Addis Ababa.
I understand that the Representative Office will seek to develop and strengthen contacts and communication with the governments and enterprise in Ethiopia as well as Eastern Africa, and encourage trade and investment for mutual benefit. There are plenty of opportunities for win-win cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises.
On the occasion of the opening ceremony of its Representative Office, I wish to express my warmest congratulations to the China Africa Development Fund, and wish it success in its future endeavours of building the economic and trade cooperation between Africa and China.
With Best Wishes.
Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister