Ethiopia underlines its potential at presentation in Rome

(AGI) Rome, May 13 - Ethiopia presented itself at a country presentation in Rome, underlining its high potential. Double-figure economic growth, rich in arable land, cheap labour, cheap energy and a growing middle class: Ethiopia is the "promise and example for the continent." "Africa is the future, Ethiopia is already there," said Matthew Landi, expert of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which organised the Country Presentation in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE). Ethiopia's Minister of Industry, Mebrahtu Meles, told the gathered entrepreneurs and experts about the opportunities his country has to offer. "Salaries are rising and the country is very stable and plays an active role in the region," he said, stressing that works on infrastructure require investments. Moreover, the government "welcomes investments and businesses while energy costs are low. Many investors are choosing Ethiopia," he stressed. Ethiopia's goal for 2025 is to become a middle-income economy, the World Bank's definition for countries with a per capita income ranging from 1,036 to 12,615 U.S. dollars. "A very complex project, but we can do it, thanks to the government's strategy" Meles assured his audience. From Oct. 5 to 7, the "First International Agro-Industry Investment Forum" will be held in Addis Ababa. ICE is very active in the country. In 2014, the agency opened an office in the capital, where it has been working closely with authorities and businesses. ICE Director General Roberto Luongo explained that the agency organises "missions, events and participation in fairs, a cooperation that is developing and that we continue to strengthen. Ethiopia is one of our most strategic partners in Africa." (AGI) . .