Ethiopian PM hails ties with India

Zenawi said Saturday the trade exchange volume of the two countries has reached $4.5 billion from only $300 million five years ago. He said the significant growth in trade exchange volume showed that the relations between two countries have been enhanced to a higher level.

However, the prime minister said a lot needs to be done as the two countries have ample opportunities to further enhance bilateral relations.

On his part, Anand Sharma agreed the multi-dimensional cooperation of the two countries has been grown. He said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Ethiopia would further bolster the existing relations between the two countries.

The commerce minister said choosing Ethiopia to host the second Africa-India summit was to boost the relations between the two nations. He said India would extend full support to Indian investors to invest in Ethiopia.

Indian would also provide support for Ethiopia's Growth and Transformation Plan, he added.
Manmohan Singh will co-chair the India-Africa Forum Summit May 24-25 with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea and chairman of the African Union. Leaders of 15 African countries will participate in the summit.

The summit is expected to culminate in the Addis Ababa Declaration and the Africa-India Framework for Enhanced Cooperation which will map out the trajectory of the India-Africa engagement for the next few years. India hosted the first forum summit in April 2008.