Ethiopia’s BRICS membership will create a great deal of opportunity to further stimulate the country’s tourism investment, Tourism Minister, Nasise Challi said.

Ethiopia’s bid to join the emerging-markets bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) was endorsed at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa this week.

Some 40 countries worldwide have requested to become BRICS member among which only six countries, including Ethiopia, had their membership requests accepted.

Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also been accepted as a new member countries of BRICS.

The fastest economic growth being registered in Ethiopia has played great contribution for the request of the country to be accepted as BRICS member, according to Tourism Minister, Nasise Challi.

She pointed out that Ethiopia has been working to build diversified economy focusing on industry, tourism, information technology and mines beyond the agricultural sector which the nation has been known for a long time.

The minister further said that the encouraging achievements being registered in the field of diplomacy plays significant role in stimulating the various economic sectors of the country.

The Minister noted that Ethiopia, as a founding member of the United Nations and Africa Union, enjoys a great history in a multilateral diplomacy arena.

She indicated that the diplomatic successes registered since recently recognized Ethiopia’s enhanced diplomatic experiences citing the country’s acceptance by BRICS this week.

This will provide significant contribution to strengthen the economic and social developments of the country as well as enhance cooperation frameworks, Nasise added.

The minister also mentioned that the opportunity will also give Ethiopia to stand for the interests of Africa apart from its interests.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency