At its inaugural meeting, the Ethiopian Business Council in the United Kingdom (EBC-UK) was launched on 12^th May 2004 by members of the Ethiopian business community living in the UK, at a meeting that took place at the Ethiopian Embassy in London.

During the launch meeting participants, who represented seventeen Ethiopian business organisations based in London, adopted the Council’s charter, which will seek to include among its membership Ethiopian business people from across the UK.

After the unanimous adoption of the Charter, seven members of the Executive Committee of the Council were elected by secret ballot. The Executive Committee will lead the day-to-day activities of the Council and will have a tenure of two years.

The Charter stipulates that the Council will serve as an independent platform for the networking of Ethiopian business people with a view to promoting their interests. It will also serve as a forum to help promote trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia.  Creating a strong advocacy group for Ethiopian business people in the UK, the Council will empower the members of the business community. The Council will also serve as a strong business constituency for Ethiopians.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom HE Mr Fisseha Adugna congratulated members of the Council for their initiative in setting up the forum. He highlighted the fact that the formation of the Council was in the best interests of all Ethiopian business people in that it was only through networking and collaboration that members of any business community in the world could grow and prosper together.

Before the close of the meeting, the Executive Committee also decided upon the division of labour amongst themselves and proposed to convene again to develop plans of action for the future.

ENDS