26/05/2026
The FDRE Council of Ministers, at its 55th regular meeting held today, discussed various issues and passed 13 decisions. Among the approved matters is Ethiopia’s Trade Policy.
The business community had long been requesting the country to adopt a national trade policy. The government, for its part, has been working extensively on the policy with the participation of the private sector.
By approving the policy and putting it into implementation starting today, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude, on behalf of the entire business community, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, and myself, to all stakeholders who participated in its preparation and contributed at every level.
The government has been undertaking institutional, structural, and legal reforms aimed at enhancing the economic participation and benefits of the private sector. In this regard, the newly approved trade policy will not only help the sector grow further, but will also enable it to clearly understand and effectively carry out its expected role.
Furthermore, as Ethiopia is a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional, continental, and international trade related institutions, and is also preparing to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the near future, the implementation of this policy carries significant importance.
As clearly stated in the policy, it is designed to properly guide both domestic and international trade systems; strengthen efforts to address gaps in selected sectors; reduce the country’s heavy dependence on agricultural products in export trade by promoting diversification and competitiveness of export goods and services; establish product safety standards; promote fair trade practices; and support domestic industries in improving competitiveness, productivity, and local capacity development.
In doing so, the policy is expected to help address the major challenges facing the sector.
Accordingly, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations reaffirms its commitment to continue working collaboratively, as it has done in the past, with the relevant government bodies at all levels to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
In addition, one of our key responsibilities will be to ensure that the private sector gains sufficient awareness and understanding of the policy so that it can effectively fulfill the role expected of it as outlined above.
Finally, I would once again like to express my gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the approval of Ethiopia’s Trade Policy.
Sebsib Abafira Abajobir
President, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations
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