Ethiopia opened its consulate in Oman on Thursday, a mission that would help serve its approximately 40,000 workers currently residing in the sultanate. Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily, H E Hassan Abdella Ali, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Yemen and Oman talked about streamlining migration and hiring of Ethiopian workers through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and ways to boost ties with the sultanate.
“We have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Manpower, which is under study and we are awaiting final approval. With this agreement between Oman and Ethiopia, many things would be streamlined, which includes hiring and migration of Ethiopian workers to the sultanate.”
He further said this would also pave the way for fixing a minimum salary for Ethiopian workers in Oman. About the problems faced by the Ethiopian government regarding its migrant workers in Oman, the envoy said that the lack of an agreement is an issue as the government is not able to keep an account of the number of workers moving out of Ethiopia.
“It is not through the government, but privately through agencies (which are not recognised by us) that they are moving out, for which we do not have the exact number of our population in Oman too,” he pointed out.
However, the government is aware of the fact that their workers pay huge amounts to the agencies, though rates vary from one to another, he added.
“Once the two countries have an MoU, these issues would automatically be resolved as emigration would be legal, with the knowledge of the government.”
Ethiopia has many training centres for workers wishing to work abroad. “Training is provided in various sectors, including to maids. When we have an agreement with Oman, we will only send the trained ones.”
About the consulate he said, “We are extremely happy to set up the consulate here, as it will strengthen the already existing historical ties between the two countries.” He said that the country would be looking at furthering the relationship in investments, trade, besides other fields.
“The only business which we have as of now is Ethiopian Airlines, which flies thrice daily from here, and we would probably increase the frequency.”
Ethiopia has the potential and plenty of investment opportunities, and setting up of an honorary mission is likely to help boost bilateral trade, he said.
“Ethiopia has good hydro-electricity generation, wind energy, besides geothermal power,” said H E Ali, adding, “A new dam, known as the Renaissance Dam, is being built at the source of the Nile, which would produce 6,000MW of power.” The dam is expected to be ready in two years.
“We hope to be able to provide Yemen and neighbouring countries with power; this could be extended to Gulf countries in the future,” he added.
Oman has the capital and we have the products, so both the countries can benefit from each other,” said H E Ali. Agro products like fruits, sugar and coffee; minerals and livestock, besides textiles is what Ethiopia can offer, and Oman can benefit from it. “We also hope to become a middle-income country ina few years’ time,” the envoy said.
The honorary consul of Ethiopia in Oman, H E Fahmy al Hinai expressed happiness over the opening of the consulate. He said, “I will do my best to bring the two countries closer.”
He pointed out that Oman would be organising the Omani Products Exhibiton (OPEX) in Ethiopia by the end of 2015.
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