Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has recently announced the partnership of the country with Alibaba Group, an e-Commerce giant in China.
The partnership was strategically made to halt the spread of coronavirus and prepare control measures against the deadly virus in Ethiopia, which has recently reported its 1st case of coronavirus infection. The patient is a 48-year-old from Japan, who is currently quarantined at an isolation ward in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The infected patient is said to be in stable condition. However, nearly 24 people who came in close contact with the patient are being kept under close observation to curb the possible spread of the virus in the region.
According to a statement made by Abiy Ahmed, the partnership agreement has been recently formed after a discussion with Jack Ma, Alibaba’s CEO, where they agreed upon collaborating in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. PM Ahmed further stated that Alibaba has distributed nearly 20,000 coronavirus testing kits as well as over 100,000 masks to the country in East Africa. He also expressed his belief in enhanced knowledge and material support as the key to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and has appreciated Alibaba and its team for offering anti-COVID-19 guideline books.
Alibaba has an appreciable business relationship with Ethiopia. For instance, the company has been a part of several entrepreneurship programs in the country, earning praise from Ethiopian government officials.
With an aim to address the rising risks of COVID-19 infection, the country has recently assembled a high-level ministerial committee to closely supervise various novel coronavirus prevention efforts in Ethiopia, which has an estimated population of nearly 107 million.
The country has particularly emphasized upon watching over its 4 international airports as well as 21 land border crossing points, to rally against the COVID-19 spread. It also has intensified efforts to contain a possible outbreak in the future by forming a partnership with WHO (World Health Organization).
Source credit:
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-03/16/content_75817663.htm