Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Friday he wishes Ethio-Chinese trade and investment cooperation will be further strengthened.

 

After talks with Ji Peiding, vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, Meles said bilateral relations have reached a higher level presently and the ever-growing ties of the two sisterly countries should be intensified.

 

The participation of the Chinese entrepreneurs in development of infrastructure in the country has been increasing from time to time, Meles said, noting that his country exported various agricultural products to China last year at zero-tariff opportunity offered by the Chinese government.

 

For his part, Ji said the two countries should work together to further strengthen the trade and investment cooperation.

 

Ji said the trade and investment relations between the two countries are growing steadily last year. However, he said, there is still a lot of potential that can be tapped by the two countries.

 

He pledged the Chinese parliament will help facilitate the investment in Ethiopia by Chinese firms.

 

Ji and his entourage arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday evening for a four-day working visit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2006)