Ethiopia promotes coffee, tourism at int'l trade fair in Beijing

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

Iran and the United States concluded their first round of talks in Switzerland, with Iranian media saying Monday the two sides agreed on five main points.

The reported five points are:

First, both sides have agreed to establish a monitoring mechanism to reinforce the ceasefire in Lebanon, with Iran participating in.

Second, on the critical issue of managing the Strait of Hormuz, both sides decided to set up a dedicated hotline to ensure the waterway is reopened in a gradual and coordinated manner.

Third, working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, and monitoring mechanisms will begin their work only after the implementation of Article 13 of the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding. Iran has made clear that it will not enter the final phase of negotiations until that article is fully carried out.

Article 13 stipulates a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon; the lifting of the maritime blockade against Iran; the unfreezing of Iranian assets; and the removal of sanctions on Iranian oil, petrochemical products, and their derivatives.

Fourth, during this round of talks, Iran and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the release of Iran's frozen assets.

Fifth, the United States has issued a 60-day document lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, petrochemical products, and their derivatives.

Iran-US talks yield five key points after first round in Switzerland: Iranian media