Texas Delegation Ethiopia Visit

On April 9th, 2013, the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia partnered with the National Tour Association (NTA), Africa Travel Association (ATA), and Skal International to promote travel and tourism opportunities in Ethiopia. The event was co-hosted by H.E. Tadelech Dalecho, State Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, and H.E. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Girma Birru, to bring together U.S. travel and tourism industry leaders to interface with 14 travel agents from Ethiopia.

Presentations were given by H.E. Tadelech Dalecho, State Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia; H.E. Ambassador Girma Birru; Master of Ceremony Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter President; Ethiopian Airlines General Manager for North America; NTA President Lisa Simon; NTA Public Affairs Advocate Steve Richer; Jim Larson of Skal International; and others; followed by a traditional Ethiopian dinner, coffee ceremony, and photo exhibition by ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Member Matt Andrea.

H.E. Tadelech Dalecho, State Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, and H.E. Ambassador Girma Birru, highlighted the importance of partnerships between NTA, ATA, and Skal in promoting Ethiopian tourism, as well as infrastructure developments and plans to accommodate the growing number of tourists in the country.

In his presentation on the history and culture of Ethiopia, Dr. Yohannes Zeleke emphasized the major re-branding of Ethiopia to be a leading African destination. NTA President Lisa Simon emphasized that Ethiopia is an emerging destination and gave NTA�s commitment to promote tourism opportunities in Ethiopia. Jim Larson of Skal International announced they would be

launching a chapter in Ethiopia by the end of 2013 and sending a planning delegation in the coming months.

Photos Courtesy of: Matt Andrea.

A high-level Texas business delegation will visit Ethiopia from April 3rd through April 11, 2004. The Honorable, Geoffrey S. Connor, Secretary of State, State of Texas, will lead the delegations, which included Senator Rodney Ellis, State Senator of Texas, Mrs. Ada Edwards, Council Member, City of Houston, The Honorable, Gezahgen Kebede, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Houston, Texas and President of EATIC, Mrs. Laurie Morian, Board Chairperson, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Mr. Al Parrish, Interim President, Houston Museum of Natural National Science, Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy, Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Jew Don Boney, Associate Director, Mickey Leland Center, Texas Southern University , as well as six (6) other Texas public and private officials.

Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council organizes the mission, with the support of Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC and Texas Governor office in Austin, Texas. The delegation working visits will also include historical site visit to Lalibela and Baher Dar.

The Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council is a nonprofit nonpartisan, membership organization dedicated to strengthening and facilitating trade & investment between Ethiopia and the United States of America.

In recognition and appreciation for The outstanding steadfast support Promoting trade & investment Between Ethiopia and the United State of America

On February 19, 2004, Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council President Mr. Gezahgen Kebede presented the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce with a special Award on their annual trade fair in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Gezahgen Kebede delivered the following short message on the occasion.

Your Excellencies, Honorable Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

As President and Cofounder of the Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council, I fell honored and privileged to be present here today, on this special momentous occasion, to present the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce (the first of its kind) EATIC-2004, Trade and Business Promotion Pinnacle Achievement Award.

The Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council, Pinnacle Award is designed to honor, those Private and Public Organizations, Which promotes and facilitate trade and investment between Ethiopia and the United States of America, with vision and thought determinations, commitment, perseverance and community involvement's that have achieved great success.

The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce is indeed a Champion in promoting and creating an environment in which Ethiopian business community develops and challenge in today's global economy.

I will like also to take this opportunity to congratulate the Board of Directors of the AACC, its President Ato Berhane Mewa, And Ato Hussein Shibeshi, the General Secretary for their commitment and professionalism, maintaining a high quality chamber of commerce, worthy of this recognition.

At this timer, I kindly request His Excellency Minister Girma Biru, Ministry of Trade and Industry, for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to help me present this prestigious award to the AACC.