Ethiopia spends up to $2 billion annually on port rentals and associated logistics due to its lack of a seaport, a senior parliamentary official disclosed.

Dr. Fethi Mahdi, Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee in the House of Peoples' Representatives, highlighted the massive expenditure during a meeting with Adilbek Tultemirov, the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Ethiopia.

Fethi emphasized the heavy burden these costs place on the country's economic growth. He stated that securing a seaport and creating regional transport and logistics linkages with partner nations is critical for Ethiopia's economic survival and sustainable development.

Trade and agricultural cooperation took center stage during the diplomatic talks. Fethi urged both nations to enhance trade and investment activities to mutually benefit from their untapped natural resources, agricultural products, and economic potential. The officials also underscored the need to establish a cooperation framework to facilitate technology transfer and experience sharing in the sector.

The dialogue extended to Ethiopia's domestic affairs, featuring extensive briefings on major national initiatives aimed at consolidating sustainable peace, fraternity, and a democratic system. Fethi detailed the ongoing work of the National Dialogue Commission to forge an all-inclusive consensus and resolve long-standing differences through consultation. He also informed the ambassador that Ethiopia's 7th general election was inclusive, democratic, and fair.

During the discussions, Standing Committee member Ambassador Dr. Towfiq Abdulaziz highlighted Ethiopia's abundant water wealth, expressing a commitment to collaborating with the Kyrgyz government on regional and international issues, including water resources. Reiterating that Ethiopia historically lost its access to the sea, the two sides discussed potential areas of cooperation to support Ethiopia's efforts to secure a seaport.

In response, Ambassador Tultemirov reaffirmed his country's strong desire to renew and elevate its longstanding historical and diplomatic relationship with Ethiopia. He expressed readiness to work closely through parliamentary diplomacy to ensure mutual benefits across multifaceted sectors, including trade, agriculture, and logistics.