The Governments of Jamaica and Ethiopia have made arrangements to improve the travel and trade relations of both companies.

During his visit to the country last week, Ethiopian Ambassador to Jamaica, North America and Mexico, His Excellency GirmaBirru met with Minister of Transport and Mining, Mike Henry to organize the facilitation of long haul flighttts between Jamaica and Ethiopia, through Ethiopian Airlines.

In outlining the benefits of long haul flights between Jamaica and Ethiopia, Ambassador GirmaBirru indicated that these “long haul flights between Ethiopia and Jamaica will increase prospects for tourism and trade between the two countries, particularly because Ethiopia views Jamaica as the gateway to the Caribbean”.

The move is a part efforts by the Ethiopian government to explore ways in which Ethiopia can further collaborate with Jamaica in the areas of tourism, education, culture, sports and air transport

Ahead of his visit, His Excellency GirmaBirruhad stated that “Jamaica and Ethiopia have enjoyed a historical and cultural affinity; however, there are many opportunities for Ethiopia and Jamaica to cooperate with each other- particularly in the strategic development of tourism, the trade sector and the sporting industry. This visit will, therefore, shed light on areas for further collaboration.”

The discussion regarding long haul flights is an important step as Ethiopia seeks to further strengthen its cooperation with Jamaica and exchange best practices for the development of tourism in both countries and the region.

Ethiopian Airlines is owned by the Ethiopian Government, serving 81 international destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. It is also one of the fastest growing companies in the airline industry and is among the largest on the African continent. The airline was the recipient of the 2016 African Airline of the Year Award. Long haul flights between Jamaica and Ethiopia would make it easier for Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals to travel throughout the African continent.

His Excellency GirmaBirru is the first Ambassador appointed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Jamaica, having presented his credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, on Tuesday May 12, 2015.

His visit, which lasted until Thursday, comes weeks prior to a visit by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to Jamaica.