In a milestone for the African Union (AU), the just-concluded summit of Heads of State and Government was held in Addis Ababa in the new and magnificent headquarters of the Union which was inaugurated last Saturday. Designed, constructed and financed to the tune of USD 200 million by China, the building was a gift from China to Africa.

Africa is grateful and thanks China for this gift. Of course, the key role Ethiopia played by making the land on which the new building stands available for free and waiving the duty payable on the materials needed for the construction of the building should not be forgotten.

But the whole issue should not be glossed over in a few words. It needs to be looked at from a broader perspective. Let’s leave aside the ramifications for the African continent for the moment and focus on Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and China have strong friendly ties. Aside from erecting the new AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, China is providing invaluable support to Ethiopia in the form of concessionary loans and technical assistance for, among others, road, railway, telecom and hydropower projects. This is both commendable and worth encouraging.

But, and this is a big but, Ethiopia’s major external relations should not be solely with China. Important as its contribution is, Ethiopia’s development partner must not be China alone. Insofar as they respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty, are willing to abide by the country’s law and show that they can be partners in Ethiopia’s development endeavors, our policies and actions should demonstrate that all countries which make friendly overtures and all foreign investment are welcome. We are not saying that nothing has been done in this regard. Nonetheless, we should send a clear and strong signal.

Building a prosperous nation is an aspiration shared by the Ethiopian government and its people. Accomplishing such a lofty goal is a daunting challenge. But this should not be a deterrent since we have no choice but to extricate ourselves from the clutches of poverty. Therefore, it is imperative to eye all available options. It’s not because the US and Europe have political outlook or culture similar with China, India, Middle Eastern or Latin American countries that they have forged closed economic and commercial ties that are mutually beneficial. The growing economic cooperation between China and the Middle East, Africa and Latin is not a function of an identical political thinking.

Religious, cultural or political differences are no bar to inter-state investment and commercial ties which aim at achieving growth, improve livelihoods and create a strong economy. This is a proven fact.

To the extent that Ethiopia stands to benefit from its external relations on the economic and trade fronts, the political or religious beliefs of potential development partners are irrelevant. The sole caveat is that they must respect our sovereignty and laws.

Currently the world is in the grips of a scaring economic crisis which presents Ethiopia with both threats and opportunities. We must refrain from establishing unfruitful and unnecessary relations with those on a downward trajectory so that we do not go down together with them. But we should also watch out that the country is not excluded from the obligatory linkages that the crisis has spawned.

Several value-adding industries in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America are becoming uncompetitive because of soaring labour costs. Let’s entice them with our cheap labour. There are companies using less sophisticated technologies that have been displaced by the advent of cutting edge technologies. Let’s put it to them that their technologies are adequate for Ethiopia and convince them to relocate here. Let’s brand Ethiopia as an investment haven which has mineral wealth, a cheap and disciplined work force, vast arable land, a beautiful weather and tourist attractions and is worth investing in.

Let’s show to the world that Ethiopia is the master of its own destiny and yet ready to work together and as an equal with willing partners. Let’s pull out all the stops so they come here in droves.

We are forging excellent relations with China and India while those with South Korea are on the right track. We already have good ties with Japan which are burgeoning further. Let’s build on this and forge a strong economic and commercial bond with all Asian countries. Let’s tell them that as long as they respect our sovereignty and laws our doors are open to them.

We have had friendly relations with the US and Europe for a long time. We still do. Let’s prove to them that our deepening ties with China do not imply that we have forsaken the West, that we are desirous to have equally friendly relations with both.

Brazil is emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. It recently overtook the UK as the fifth largest economy. Let’s learn lessons from that country. Let’s lure Brazilian investors here; let’s make them our newest partners.

Let’s show in practice to our African brethren that Ethiopia is their second home. Let’s encourage and facilitate things for them to invest here; let’s bring them on board as partners which support our, and by extension their own, development agenda. Let’s do whatever is in our power to ensure that Ethiopia assumes a significant place in Africa’s economic integration.

The crux of the message we would like to convey is: let’s make Ethiopia a global hub for trade and investment. Let’s demonstrate in deeds, not just in words only, that Ethiopia extends its hand in friendship to whoever reciprocates its gesture that its motto is: “Investors who respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and laws are most welcome”. Our development goals should be local and our economic ties global.