Ambassador Kjemprud discussing with Øystein Skiri of Boost Communications.The Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development Erik Solheim opened the seminar and described positively the economic growth and Ethiopia as an investment destination, along with countries like Angola and Ghana. Bruce Jenks from UNDP did likewise, while ambassador Kjemprud made a comprehensive presentation on business opportunities, investment climate and areas of possible investment, saying that realities on the ground in Ethiopia has been changing radically the last 5-6 years. Now the perceptions of business people have to change likewise. He presented the huge hydro power growth potential in Ethiopia in particular and said this should interest Norwegian companies which has a long history in the country and comparative advantages.
The ambassador and the business responsible at the Embassy Tehetena Woldemariam also participated in two Clean Energy seminars while in Oslo and met separately with representatives of a number of Norwegian businesses ranging from hydropower developers to tour operators. “I really felt that we managed to put Ethiopia on the agenda for important Norwegian investors, trade and other business people, as well as Norwegian policy makers” says ambassador Kjemprud and adds that he “hopes that a number of potential new Norwegian actors will probe the Ethiopian market for opportunities”.
Read Ambassador Kjemprud's presentation (in Norwegian).
Read more on the conference website (in Norwegian).