Eritrea

Background

The State of Eritrea is in Eastern Africa, with its capital called Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast. The northeastern and eastern parts of Eritrea have an extensive coastline along the Red Sea. The nation has a total area of approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi), and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands.

Eritrea is a multi-ethnic country, with nine recognized ethnic groups in its population of around five and a half million. Eritrea has nine national languages which are Tigrinya language, Tigre, Afar, Beja, Bilen, Kunama, Nara, Saho. Tigrinya, Arabic, and English serve as the three working languages. Most residents speak languages from the Afroasiatic family, either of the Ethiopian Semitic languages or Cushitic branches. Among these communities, the Tigrinyas make up about 55% of the population, with the Tigre people constituting around 30% of inhabitants. In addition, there are a number of Nilo-Saharan-speaking Nilotic ethnic groups. Most people in the territory adhere to Christianity or Islam, with a small minority adhering to traditional faiths.

The creation of modern-day Eritrea is a result of the incorporation of independent, distinct kingdoms (for example, Medri Bahri and the Sultanate of Aussa) eventually resulting in the formation of Italian Eritrea. After the defeat of the Italian colonial army in 1942, Eritrea was administered by the British Military Administration until 1952.

The sovereign state of Eritrea is a member of the African Union, the Common Market for eastern and Southern Africa, the United Nations, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and is an observer state in the Arab League alongside Brazil and Venezuela.

Country Profile

Head of State: President Isaias Afewerki

Head of Government: President Isaias Afewerki

Capital City: Asmara

Independence Day: 24th May 1991

Languages: Tigrinya, Tigre, Dahlik: Italian, English, Arabic

Currency: Eritrea nNakfa

Area/Size: 117,600 km2

Natural Resources: copper, gold, granite, marble, and potash.

Time Zone: GMT +3

Government Website: http://www.shabait.com (Ministry of Information)

Ministry Responsible for COMESA Affairs

Ministry Responsible for COMESA

The Minister

Ministry of Trade & Industry

  1. O. Box 1844

ASMARA

State of Eritrea

Permanent Representative to COMESA

FOCAL Point

Mr. Abdurahman Ibrahim

Head, Africa Desk

International Trade Relations

Ministry of Trade and Industry

P.O. Box 1844

ASMARA

The State of Eritrea

Tel: +291 1 117103

Fax: 291 1 124175/00 291 120586

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Manufacturing Association

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Export Promotion Board

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Investment Centre

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Travel/Tourism

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