Focus Group Discussion for upcoming Policy Briefs on tax, customs, forex and access to land held
On April 11 and 12, 2023, the European chamber in collaboration with the BEIC-GIZ project, which is funded by the EU, organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. The FGD aimed to gather data on four thematic studies the European chamber is conducting, which are in the areas of customs, domestic tax, access to land for FDI outside of the industrial zones, and forex. The FGD brought together independent experts, representatives of various member companies, and relevant government agencies.
The outcome of the FGD will complement the survey and interview data that have been collected and compiled already. A final report on the four thematic areas is being finalized and will be made available for validation in the coming weeks. European chamber sincerely appreciates the active participation of all member companies as well as government agencies throughout the process of the study. Four policy briefs will be drawn out from the outcome of the studies.
Annual Joint Workshop with Customs Commission Held
On February 23, 2023, the European Union Business Forum in Ethiopia (EUBFE) held a joint workshop with the Ethiopian Customs Commission (ECC), together with its member associations, ENLBA and CAFÉ to address the concerns and issues raised by its members companies.
The workshop addressed key issues raised by member companies in the areas of valuation, classification, Franco Valuta, and the Ethiopian Single Window system. The various directors representing different directorates of the ECC addressed these issues and highlighted their ongoing efforts to improve their services. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback and opinions, ensuring an effective and collaborative consultation.The Q&A session at the end allowed participants to gain further clarity on the topics discussed. This joint workshop is an extension of EUBFE’s effort to support dialogue and engagement between key players in the investment climate and member companies with the aim of creating a thriving business climate Ethiopia.
Eurocham Launched Two Policy Briefs on the Occasion of Signing of MoU
EU Business Forum in Ethiopia launched two policy briefs on the same occasion that saw it sign a memorandum of understanding with Ministry of Industry in the presence of HE Hassen Moalin-State Minister on January 30, 2023. Also in attendance were HE Semereta Sewasew State Minister of Finance, HE Lelise Neme- Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission, HE Roland Kobia, Ambassador of EU to Ethiopia and HE Temesgen Tilahun-EIC Deputy Commissioner. The event attracted more than one hundered twenty guests from member state embassies, various ministries, development partners, sister associations as well as all members of Eurocham and its member associations.
The two policy brief entitled: ” Sourcing from the Source-Utilizing FDI to Tackle Ethiopia’s FDI Challenge” analyzes the potential for local sourcing as a solution to the foreign exchange conundrum. The second policy brief “Accelerating Ethiopia’s Transformation-Rethinking the Strategic Role of mid-to-small Scale FDI” advocates for strategy for positioning mid-to-small scale FDI within the development strategy of Ethiopia and enact investment promotion and facilitation accordingly. The recommendations made in the policy briefs will be the basis for engagement between Eurocham and the various government agencies in the coming months. Full content of the policy briefs can be downloaded via links below.
Policy Brief: Sourcing from the Source: Utilizing FDI to Tackle FX Challenge
Policy Brief: Accelerating Ethiopia’s Transformation: Rethinking the Strategic Role of Mid-to-Small Scale FDI
Represented by Its Executive Director, Eurocham Took Part in the Semi-Annual Meeting of European Chambers
As part of the semi-annual meeting of Eurpean chambers in third markets, under the umbrella of European Business Organisatins Worldwide Network (EBOWWN), Eurocham took part in consultations in Brussels from December 12-14, 2022. The consultatons were held with various DGs of the European commission, including DG INTPA, DG GROW, DG TRADE as well as Business Europe and EuroChamber.
Consultations focused on ways that the EBO network, in which Eurocham is elected to the board, can be leveraged to advance European investments across third markets within the context of global gateway partnership program. Myrriam Ferran, Deputy Director General of INTPA was among the guests of honors who attended the three days consultative meeting held at the Albert Broschette Congress Centre.
Member associations also held separate regional meetings whereby plans were set on region-focused approach to advocacy. The African region, represented by Eurocham , also held constructive consultation with fellow European chambers in the continent on ways of aligning services and engagements in advocacy.
Eurocham Held Consultative Meeting with EIC Followed by End of the Year Cocktail Reception
Eurocham board of management held productive consultative meeting with the Ethiopian Investment Commissioner HE Commissioner Lelise Neme and Deputy Commissioner Daniel Teressa, in the presence of EU Ambassador to Ethiopia Roland Kobia. Also in the consultation was H.E Ambassador Ababi Demissie, Director General for Foreign Direct Investment and Technology Transfer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consultation revolved around existing challenges faced by member companies and plans for engagement in the coming year 2023. The major issues discussed were sporadic insecurities in some localities faced by some member companies, cement and fuel supply challenges, foreign exchange shortage, customs and tax related issues. The EIC commissioner in her response appreciated the initiative to hold a consultation of this nature and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to continue to support European FDI in general and Eurocham members specifically. To this end, it was agreed that bolstering partnership in the spirit of public-private-dialogue will be key focus in the coming year. In this connection, a joint platform that will be co-chaired by EIC commissioner and the EU Ambassador was established, and it will follow up on all issues raised at the consultation on a quarterly basis.
Following the consultative meeting, cocktail reception was hosted at the rooftop of the commission’s headquarters, where the outcome of the meeting was communicated to Eurocham members by the commissioner and the board chairperson of Eurocham .
Consultative Workshop on Local Sourcing Held
EUBFE held consultative workshop with member companies’ on August 18, 2022 with sourcing and procurement experts on challenges and potentials for local sourcing. The outcome of this consultative workshop will be used to develop a policy brief that would present the potential for linkage between local manufacturers with European FDI. It will also present the exiting bottlenecks that hampered the backward linkage with a view of recommending potential solutions and policy interventions. In addition to the active consultation that helped in garnering helpful qualitative data, a survey will be disseminated to capture the quantitative potential for local sourcing.
Eurocham together with the EU Delegation to Ethiopia Hosted Members of European Parliament
Together with the EU Delegation to Ethiopia, the EU business forum and its member companies hosted members of the parliament of the European Union led by Mr. David McAllister. On the occasion, the head of delegation of the EU delegation to Ethiopia, Ambassador Roland Kobia, appreciated the perseverance of the European business community that has remained committed to contributing to the enhancement of the business climate. Board chairman of Eurocham , Mr. Ben Depraetere, thanked the members of the parliament for taking the time to engage with the business community and share opinions that would strengthen the economic partnership between Europe and Ethiopia. He also shared copies of the Business Climate Report 2021 that depicts the perception of European investors in Ethiopia, including summaries of policy interventions that would contribute to the ease of doing business.