Ethiopia and Brazil Sign Bilateral Market Access Protocol in Milestone for WTO Accession
Addis Ababa, The Gulf Observer: Ethiopia and Brazil have signed a Bilateral Market Access Protocol on trade in goods and services at the Headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, marking a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s ongoing accession process to the multilateral trading system.
The Protocol was signed by Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, and Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the WTO.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew described the agreement as both a major technical achievement and a strong political affirmation of the growing partnership between Ethiopia and Brazil. He emphasized that the successful conclusion of the bilateral negotiations reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to South–South cooperation, multilateralism, and development-oriented engagement. The Ambassador further noted that the Protocol represents an important step forward in Ethiopia’s WTO accession process and supports the country’s deeper integration into the global trading system.
In his remarks, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Brazil and Ethiopia, reaffirming Brazil’s consistent support for Ethiopia’s efforts to join the WTO. He underscored that Ethiopia’s membership would enhance the multilateral trading system by bringing in a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, and reiterated Brazil’s commitment to assisting Ethiopia as it moves toward the successful completion of its accession. He also expressed Brazil’s strong interest in expanding and deepening economic ties with Ethiopia.
Both Permanent Representatives expressed their appreciation to the WTO Secretariat for its continued facilitation and support throughout the negotiation and signing process.
The ceremony concluded with the formal exchange and deposit of the signed Protocol and its annexes with the WTO Secretariat, formally recording the agreement as part of Ethiopia’s accession documentation.
