News From Ethiopia

Ethiopia, Djibouti Sign Comprehensive Agreement On Use of Djibouti Port

Addis Ababa, April 16, 2002 (WIC): The Ethio-Djibouti high-level delegations have signed comprehensive agreements on utilization of the Port of Djibouti and services to cargo and transit as well as on other related issues believed to satisfy the economic interests of the two countries inclusively stated under 41 Articles and 8 sections.

Briefing local journalists and international correspondents at his office here yesterday, Minister of Trade and Industry, Girma Birru disclosed that the agreement mainly includes port utilization, traffic and transit, provisions for customs, privilege's and immunities for both countries as well as general conditions for transport, infrastructure  and the establishment of board fund.

The Minister said that based on these agreements, the Republic of Djibouti would guarantee Ethiopia the right of access to and from the sea with unhindered freedom of transit through its territory for goods originating from and destined to Ethiopia.

The other worth mentioning point of the agreement according to the Minister is that Djibouti would allow goods from and destined to Ethiopia to transit through the Port of Djibouti free of taxes, customs and duties.

The agreement also states that goods can be kept at the port of Djibouti for about 180 days before clearance.

According to the agreement, Djibouti is expected to guarantee Ethiopia the right to use the installations and equipment of the port, the freeze zone facility within the port premises, he explained.

The Minister made clear that based on international law of transit and trafficking these agreements could not be violated by the two countries even when they are in disagreement.  He also said that the agreement underscores advance notification of port regulations and tariff changes before 60 working.

About EATIC
The Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council (EATIC - www.eatic.org) is a non-profit, non-partisan, tax exempt membership organization of corporations and individuals dedicated to strengthening and facilitating trade and investment between Ethiopia and the United States of America. The Council believes that it can best accomplish this goal through education, focusing on broadening the respective knowledge of various social customs, cultural traditions and economic climate of both countries.

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