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Ethiopia inks agreement with Alibaba to join eWTP platform

27
Nov '19

Pic: Alizila

Ethiopia yesterday signed an agreement with China’s Alibaba Group to join its Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP), which was proposed by company founder Jack Ma in 2016 as an open platform for private enterprises and coordination among international organisations, governments and social groups focussed on development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and trade.

The eWTP was included in the communique of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou.

The documents of the memorandum of understanding include eWTP framework, digital capacity building and building comprehensive digital hub.

The eWTP has been recognised by the G20, as well as adopted by China, Malaysia, Rwanda and Belgium, according to a press release from Alibaba.

Witnessed by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jina and Jack Ma, the agreement was signed by Ethiopia's minister of innovation and technology Getahun Mekuria and Alibaba Group director and Ant Financial Services Group chairman and chief executive officer Jing Xiandong.

"I believe in digital economy, and I believe in the small businesses in Ethiopia, young people in Ethiopia, entrepreneurs in Ethiopia will go to the world, will trade with the world, business with the world and partner with the world because of this digital economy," Jack said.

"The success of Ethiopia will not only inspire Ethiopian young people, it will also inspire the whole Africa to grasp the opportunities of digital economy," he added.

Prime Minister Ahmed said the initiative would enable his country to achieve its vision of becoming one of the top five African economies over the coming 10 years.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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