White House adviser Ivanka Trump visited with Ethiopian businesswomen Sunday in her first international trip since the launch of an initiative aimed at promoting female entrepreneurs around the globe.
Ms. Trump, the president’s daughter, and Mark Green, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, sat down with women in the coffee and textile industries in Addis Ababa to talk about both the opportunities and challenges they face in growing their businesses, according to the White House.
At the end of one meeting, Ms. Trump announced a $260,000 loan through her Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative to Azalech Tesfaye, owner of Azalech Coffee Roasting, Grinding and Packaging. The financing is supported by a joint guarantee from U.S. and Sweden.
The delegation then participated in a coffee ceremony, a tradition in the country that is considered the native home of the coffee plant.
Ms. Trump and the delegation also toured Muya Ethiopia, a textile company owned by Sara Abera, and announced an award that will finance the business through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
“Muya demonstrates that development assistance can help countries move from aid recipients to trading partners, on their journey to self-reliance,” the White House said.
President Trump signed a memo in February establishing his daughter’s initiative, which seeks to assist 50 million women in business by 2025.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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