On September 17, 2020, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia Barlybay Sadykov met with the Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) for Economic Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Mrs. Tsion Teklu.

B. Sadykov informed about the main provisions of the State of the Nation Address by the President of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dated September 1, 2020, aimed at improving the efficiency of the management system, the economy in new realities, disclosing industrial potential, developing agriculture, transport and logistics complex, small and medium-sized businesses, the financial sector, modernizing the country's regional development and increasing social welfare of people.

Ambassador stressed that in order to promote economic interests on the international arena, Kazakhstan will maximize the wide opportunities associated with participation of Kazakhstan in the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as in the "Belt and Road" project. The potential of the Astana International Financial Center will be actively used to make it a key instrument for attracting direct and portfolio investments.

Touching upon the topic of the AIFC's activities, the Ambassador noted that businessmen of Africa and, in particular, Ethiopia, could take full advantage of the Center's opportunities to penetrate the vast Eurasian market.

During the conversation, the parties exchanged views on the state and prospects of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. They noted the great potential of such cooperation and the need to make efforts to unlock it. The issues of holding in November of this year a joint online conference on economic issues with the participation of representatives of government agencies and business circles of both countries were discussed. The Ethiopian side has confirmed its participation in this conference at the level of Deputy Foreign Minister.

An agreement was reached on organizing a visit of a delegation of Kazakh officials and business circles to Ethiopia in the first half of 2021 to establish business contacts and expand trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The issues of expanding the legal framework for cooperation and activities of the KazAid Agency being created were also discussed.

H.E. Mrs.T. Teklu expressed a keen interest in the Address of President K.Tokayev, noting that it is of great interest to her in terms of borrowing the experience of a country that has achieved great success in socio-economic development and reforms. She will consider sending recommendations to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on the main messages of the Address.

An agreement was reached to cooperate on any issues of interest to both parties.