A US-Africa Agribusiness Investment Forum opened on Tuesday (November 13th) here in Addis Ababa.

The forum was organized by the Corporate Council on Africa as part of a series of programs aimed strengthening and facilitating commercial relationships between the United States and the African continent. A press release from the Council said that members of the agri-business industry will be discussing various cross-cutting issues, including finance, risk mitigation, value-chain development, and industry best practices and trends.

The opening of the forum was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Ato Tefera Derbew, the US Ambassador to the African Union, Ambassador Michael Battle, the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Booth, the AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Rhoda Peace Tumsuime, and other dignitaries. In his opening speech, Ambassador Battle underlined the expanding US partnership with Africa through the Grow Africa Support Program.

Ato Tefera noted the focus accorded to agriculture in Ethiopia's Growth and Transformation Plan, and underlined the vast opportunities and incentives available in Ethiopia for agricultural investment. The Forum is continuing today with plenary discussions and workshops.