European Union Business Forum in Ethiopia (EUBFE)

The EUBFE was established in 2012 in response to the need for both a platform for networking and information exchange between EU businesses and a systematic dialogue channel with the Ethiopian authorities. This exchange is on-going and has already led to some concrete improvements in the business climate in the country. The EUBFE believes that a continuation and further deepening of this constructive relationship of cooperation, exchange and better mutual understanding between the public and private sector, will further improve the business enabling environment, and ultimately allowing the society to prosper. EUBFE services to members fall into the following discrete but interconnected areas: Information – members are provided with standard and member-specific information on how to establish and operate an enterprise in Ethiopia – incentives, licensing, taxation, employment and customs issues etc. In addition, members are kept informed about developments, progress, initiatives and events through a quarterly EUBFE newsletter. Dialogue – a platform for members to debate specific issues and to agree on the most effective strategies and actions to mitigate the negative impact upon investment of sector-specific or horizontal impediments. Advocacy – the undertaking of specific studies on identified investment impediments and the development of position papers specifying the concerns of members and lobbying for mitigating actions to be taken. Facilitating high level discussions with senior government officials from relevant ministries and agencies and representatives of the EU Delegation and EU Member States. Commenting on proposed draft legislation and regulatory changes. Events – the EUBFE organises regular networking and issue-specific events, discussion forums, roundtables, consultation meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences throughout each year. Facilitation of inward investment and business missions to Ethiopia from EU Member States.