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Ethiopia and Hungary have resumed negotiations to finalize an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation—an important fiscal policy tool that could unlock new opportunities for cross-border investment and trade.

Held in Addis Ababa, the second round of talks builds on earlier discussions that took place in Budapest, Hungary, where both sides reached preliminary understandings on most of the core issues.

Representing Ethiopia, Tewedaj Mehammed, Head of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized that the agreement would not only eliminate the burden of double taxation but also foster a more predictable and investor-friendly environment. “This agreement will pave the way for enhanced business development and deepen economic cooperation between our two nations,” he noted during the opening session.

From the Hungarian side, Ms. Gyongyi Antal, Head of the Division of International Taxation at Hungary’s Ministry for National Economy, expressed optimism about the ongoing dialogue. “The removal of double taxation barriers creates a conducive environment for companies to thrive and connect. Most technical issues were addressed in the first round, and we are hopeful this session will bring consensus on the remaining points,” she said.

 


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The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in support of Ethiopia’s green and sustainable development ambitions.

The agreement, signed by Deputy Governor of the NBE, Solomon Desta, and Leyla Traoré, the EIB’s Representative for Ethiopia and the African Union, marks a key milestone in deepening the relationship between the two institutions.

Deputy Governor Solomon emphasized that the MoU is a significant step toward fostering greater cooperation and aligning efforts to build a more inclusive and environmentally resilient economy. He noted that the EIB’s commitment will play a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s transition toward a greener future.

Leïla Traoré highlighted the country’s progress in the green development agenda and commended Ethiopia’s leadership in this area. She also reaffirmed the EIB’s readiness to continue supporting Ethiopia’s climate-focused reforms and sustainable finance initiatives.

The MoU builds on high-level discussions held in April between Ethiopia’s Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide, and EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle. Those talks focused on expanding collaboration across vital sectors. The EIB expressed interest in financing Ethiopia’s planned new international airport—a critical infrastructure project poised to enhance connectivity and economic growth.


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The European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering financing Ethiopia’s planned new international airport, a move that signals deepening engagement in the country’s infrastructure ambitions. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify development and investment cooperation.

During the discussion, Minister Ahmed Shide expressed appreciation for the EIB’s sustained backing of Ethiopia’s priority areas, particularly SME financing, water and sanitation, and women’s entrepreneurship development. These sectors are widely seen as pivotal to the country’s economic and social transformation.

Fayolle reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s long-term development goals, noting that EIB is now exploring options to contribute to the financing of the planned international airport, which is expected to serve as a major logistics and investment hub for the Horn of Africa.

Both parties agreed to deepen their collaboration, with additional sectoral discussions expected during the upcoming visit of senior EIB officials to Ethiopia.

 




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