Q: You visited Ethiopia in October 2008 and met with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and othe ministers. What impressions did Ethiopia make on you?
A: What struck me first and foremost was the enormous construction activity in Addis Ababa, a sign of an economy in development. This impression is underpinned by the statistical facts of double digit economic growth for the last 4-5 years. The ambitious programmes for infrastructure development and desire to expand the country's export base shows a political will to get Ethiopia out of the poverty trap.
Q: A business delegation accompanied you on your visit. What opportunities do you see for enhanced business and trade relations between Norway and Ethiopia?
A: We have a common interest to promote trade between Ethiopia and Norway. We could both benefit from it. Norwegian Yara is a big supplier of fertilizer to Ethiopia and I am encouraged by a strong interest of Norwegian hydropower companies to engage in the Ethiopian hydropower development programme. As for Ethiopian exports to Norway the high quality coffee and roses contribute to promoting a positive image of Ethiopia in Norway. This positive image should be utilised by Ethiopian producers to push for other exports. Penetrating the relatively small Norwegian market could be a door opener to bigger markets as Ethiopia further seeks to develop its export potential. We are pushing for more direct trade which will benefit consumers in Norway and producers in Ethiopia.
Q: Hydropower development has been extremely important for industrialisation end economic development in Norway. Potential hydropower reserves in Ethiopia is 30.000 MW. Do you see any role for Norway in developing this potential?
A: In our development cooperation we are trying to focus on areas where Norway has comparative advantages. When it comes to development hydropower resources I sincerely believe that Norway has a definitive comparative advantage. We also have a long history of working with the Ethiopian Government. We believe that institutional cooperation can further enhance Ethiopia's own capabilities, and we believe Norwegian companies can compete in delivering high quality engineering work to the sector in the future.
Q: How do you see the linkages between trade, business and development?
A: I believe that every country has focus on developing its own resource base to get out of the poverty trap. The balance between government investment, support and interventions, and business and free trade has to be found as a reflection of the national situation. Ethiopia has to find its way from the buraucratic state owned enterprises environment during the Derg to the WTO-regulated trade and business environment Ethiopia is aiming for. I believe the facilitating role the Ethiopian government has provided through the heavy investments in infrastructure will benefit business now and in the future. Releasing even more and a broader base of innovative forces in the national and international business community through an enabling investment climate is the challenge.
Q: How do you rate the chances of Ethiopia getting out of the poverty trap?
A: The potential is obvious. Creating the right investment climate is crucial. International development assistance could be helpful in releasing the potential. With political stability and a democratic participatory environment and control of the population growth all constructive forces could help release the aforementioned potential.
Q: Finally, how do you consider Norwegian-Ethiopian relations in general?
A: Norwegian-Ethiopian relations are good and longstanding. So much effort has been put into enhancing our relations and today I see our relations as very solid. The many facetted relations between our two countries means we have a broad range of common interest, politically and economically as well as in the broad range of academic contact between our two countries. We are also developing cultural relations. I can only see relations getting even better. At political level the visit of Dr. Tekeda Alemu, State Minister of Foreign Affairs this week enhanced this development.