Ethiopia has officially signed a landmark Bilateral Market Access Protocol with Thailand. The high-profile signing ceremony took place at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, marking a critical breakthrough in Ethiopia’s ongoing, multi-year negotiations to secure full membership in the global trade body.
The protocol was formally executed by Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative and Plenipotentiary to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, alongside Ambassador Baochitr Pitfield, Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event was witnessed by a high-level assembly of delegates from both nations, representatives from the WTO Secretariat, and Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Commerce, Dr. Kirida Bopichit.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Tsegab hailed the agreement as a momentous shift for Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy. He emphasized that finalizing this protocol represents a significant leap forward in the nation’s accession timeline. Furthermore, the Ambassador reiterated that securing WTO membership is not an isolated effort, but rather a strategic cornerstone of the comprehensive macroeconomic reform program currently being implemented by the Ethiopian government to open up domestic markets.
According to Ambassador Tsegab, the successful conclusion of these bilateral negotiations strongly underscores Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to fostering a transparent, predictable, and rule-based multilateral trading system. He noted that removing trade barriers between the two nations will unlock fresh pathways for cross-border trade, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and lay down a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable economic expansion.
Beyond the technicalities of market access and tariff alignments, the protocol stands as a symbol of the enduring diplomatic ties between Addis Ababa and Bangkok. Ambassador Tsegab pointed out that the document reflects a deep, shared trust in global multilateralism and a mutual desire to scale up economic cooperation. He added that each concluded bilateral agreement elevates Ethiopia’s standing on the world stage, instilling greater international investor confidence in the country’s ongoing economic transitions.
Expressing Thailand’s perspective, Dr. Kirida Bopichit described the signing as a pivotal milestone that mirrors the growing economic synergy between the two nations. She reaffirmed Thailand’s robust and continuous backing of Ethiopia throughout its remaining WTO accession phases. Dr. Bopichit expressed strong optimism that the protocol will dynamically boost two-way trade volumes, spark joint investment ventures, and expand technical cooperation across various sectors.
Dr. Bopichit stressed that Thailand remains dedicated to working hand-in-hand with Ethiopia to advocate for an open, inclusive, fair, and rule-based global trading framework. Both delegations concluded the event by reaffirming that integrating developing economies like Ethiopia into the WTO framework is indispensable for driving structural economic transformation, ensuring sustainable development goals, and achieving shared prosperity in the global economy.
