Ethiopia welcomes investment from Chinese medical tech firms: Minister

ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian government on Wednesday urged Chinese technology firms to explore the abundant investment opportunities in Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on investments in the medical technology sector.

The call was made by Ethiopia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aklilu Hailemichael, during his meeting with representatives of various Chinese medical technology firms in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday.

"The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions, will support Chinese firms to invest in the medical technology sector," Hailemichael said.

The Chinese investment delegation, consisting of representatives from giant Chinese medical technology firms, also during the discussions noted that Chinese high-end medical equipments would help Ethiopia's efforts to modernize its healthcare sector, with particular importance to the treatment of cancer and related diseases.

The representatives also expressed their keen interest to positively contribute to Ethiopia's healthcare sector through experience sharing and knowledge transfer, once their companies commence operations in the East African country.

Last month, the Ethiopian government had commended China's Haier Biomedical Ltd Co - a subsidiary of the Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliances giant Haier Group Corporation - for its life-saving contributions through the introduction of its innovative Solar Direct Drive (SDD) vaccine refrigerators.

The company's Solar Direct Drive (SDD) vaccine refrigerators are considered by many Ethiopian healthcare officials and experts as an "ideal solution" for thousands of healthcare facilities across the East African country where access to electricity is scarce.