Right before the opening of the US Africa Summit, the 4th Ethio-US Business Forum took place in Houston, Texas. An Ethiopian business delegation headed by President Mulatu Teshome attended in the forum.

“President Mulatu said a favorable business climate has been created for American as well as other nationals to invest in Ethiopia,” reports allAfrica. He made mention of the ongoing establishment of Industrial Zones in the country which has made it easier for investors start up business.

He recalled the recent announcement of the US government to open a trade bureau in Ethiopia and said this will be a good opportunity to further strengthen trade ties between the two sides.

Senator Rodney Ellice of Texas stated that export revenue has increased from $39 million in 2005 to $84 million in 2012.

Representing Houston’s residents Senator Ellice thanked the Ethiopian government for permitting their ancestor Lucy (the famous 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil) to visit the city.

The 4th Ethio-US Business Forum was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in US and Wafa Marketing & Promotion and is expected to also take place in Los Angeles, California.