Ethiopia is promoting coffee and tourism -- its two pillar industries -- at the ongoing 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing.
At the Ethiopian national pavilion, where the rich aroma of coffee fills the air, Munteha Jemal, Plenipotentiary Minister of the Ethiopian Embassy in China, made and served authentic Ethiopian coffee as part of the country's traditional ceremony.
"In Ethiopia, when we have a coffee ceremony, the house owner not drink the coffee by himself. He's gathering all his neighbors around sitting here," she said.
The process involves roasting, grinding, and boiling the coffee beans before brewing.
As the birthplace of coffee plant, Ethiopia boasts a variety of coffee types grown at different altitudes, each with its unique aroma.
"According to the places where these coffees grew, they have their own special aroma," said Jemal.
Another important sector Ethiopia is trying to promote at the CIFTIS is tourism.
"The tourist attraction places are placed in different parts of Ethiopia, the north, south, east, west, center. For example, if you go to the north you can get this one, to the east you can get this one. These are all registered in UNESCO," said Jemal while showcasing the country's tourism map.
Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity", the 2024 CIFTIS, which opened on Thursday and will run till Monday, has attracted attendees from 85 countries and international organizations, as well as over 450 Fortune 500 enterprises and companies taking the lead in their respective industries.
Ethiopia promotes coffee, tourism at int'l trade fair in Beijing
Ethiopia promotes coffee, tourism at int'l trade fair in Beijing
Rescuers in the city of Pereira, western Colombia continued their desperate efforts on Thursday to comb through the rubble left by Monday's devastating earthquake, seeking signs of possible life.
The 7.5-magnitude quake struck the region at 07:34 local time on Monday, completely collapsing the eight-story Dibeni Hotel, a landmark in Pereira. At the time of the disaster, 13 people were inside the hotel, and as of Wednesday, eight bodies had been recovered from the debris.
To enhance their search efforts, search and rescue teams requested silence beginning at 14:00 on Thursday, listening intently for faint sounds that might indicate survivors. They repeatedly called into the wreckage, holding their breath in hopes of detecting a response. Sniffer dogs were deployed to help locate any possible remaining trapped individuals.
In a second effort for absolute silence, rescuers instructed everyone on site to refrain from talking or moving, turning off all machinery. Despite these extensive measures, the search did not yield the hoped-for results.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported on Friday that the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 287, with 3,975 injuries. The UNGRD’s latest update said that the quake affected 15 departments and 437 municipalities, impacting 56,448 families and 135,179 people.
Additionally, 378 people remain unaccounted for, while 354 have been rescued. The earthquake caused damage to 238 health centers, 2,486 schools, 2,093 community centers, 254 roads, 87 aqueducts, 50 vehicular bridges, seven pedestrian bridges, and five airports.
Desperate search for survivors continues after devastating earthquake in Pereira, Colombia
Desperate search for survivors continues after devastating earthquake in Pereira, Colombia
