China, Ethiopia sign agreement of 90 vehicles

China and Ethiopia on Friday signed an agreement for China's donation of 90 high-level quality vehicles valued at 40 million Yuan (about 6.35 million U.S. dollars) to Ethiopia. The handover ceremony has taken place on the premises of the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) in Addis Ababa where Ahmed Shide, State Minister of MoFED, and Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, signed the donation agreement. The vehicles granted by China to Ethiopia are of high-level quality and will be used to provide services to the high-level state guests coming to the country, said the Ethiopian State Minister. Ahmed said the Ethiopian government values the grant as special one and the timing is also unique. "This is because as Ethiopia has got the privilege of hosting different international conferences frequently, the demand for vehicles to receive state guests has become one of the critical areas to satisfy logistical services," he said. He also noted that the grant of the vehicles has coincided with the inauguration of the high-quality AU building constructed by the Chinese government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the seat of AU Headquarters. China with its engagement into comprehensive development assistances to Africa in general and to Ethiopia in particular has shown true friendly spirit of partnership, said the State Minister. Lauding the Chinese government for the assistance to Ethiopia, Ahmed expressed hope that the existing cooperation between Ethiopia and China would keep the momentum with ultimate goal of benefiting the peoples of the two countries at large. He also noted that China has also organized training and familiarization program for drivers and technicians that let immediate operation of the vehicles. Ambassador Xie said the grant reflects the profound friendship between the governments and peoples of China and Ethiopia. "This batch of vehicles reflects again the profound friendship between the two governments and peoples, the prompt delivery and arrival as well as the timely use (in the 18th AU Summit) of these vehicles testify the fruitful result reached through the friendly relationship between the two governments and the high efficient cooperation between the governmental departments of the two countries," said the Ambassador.