He said two major issues which hampered the growth of bilateral relations especially trade between Pakistan and African countries were the absence of institutional linkages and weak people-to-people contacts. However, Ethiopia which was a gateway to Africa had the potential to bring the people of Pakistan and African countries closer, he added. "Our embassy is inching closer to achieving its first target of bringing Ethiopian Airlines in Pakistan," said the ambassador, who added that a trade agreement had already been signed between Pakistan and Ethiopia to formalize the trade between the two countries. More agreements would soon be signed to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in diverse sectors, he added. Jemal Beker Abdula also visited the International Institute of Science, Art and Technology and addressed the students on the history of Pakistan and Ethiopia relations and its future prospects.

Source: Ethiopian News February 18, 2023 23:56 UTC