China can be a promising development partner of Ethiopia, says expert

The emerging market bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) can act as the key financial arm to planned infrastructure projects in African countries, an Ethiopian expert said on Friday.

Speaking to Xinhua, Gedion Jalata, CEO of the Center of Excellence International Consult, an Ethiopian consulting firm, said with South Africa being a member of BRICS, there is bound to be commitments to support Africa, while the increasing strength of BRICS means an extended infrastructure commitment. “I foresee possible commitments in terms of soft and hard infrastructure development like education, health, ICT and to confront rising challenges such as how to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” he said.

Jalata’s comment comes as the 10th BRICS summit concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jalata mentioned China’s help in Ethiopia’s industrial park development as one area the Asian economic powerhouse can further assist Ethiopia either through bilateral means or multilateral institutions like BRICS.

He said BRICS could help developing African economies in future projects like ICT development, space exploration and aerospace engineering.

“The ongoing BRICS summit is discussing the bloc’s National Development Bank, which is expected to be an alternative financial development partner to developing countries, helping create an economic setting for efforts to create inclusive, multipolar international relations,” said Jalata.