KUWAIT CITY, Sept 23: The Ethiopian Embassy recently received a letter from the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Ministry regarding the permanent closure of its headquarters in Qadisiyah, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources from the diplomatic sector. Sources confirmed the embassy has started making the necessary closure and departure arrangements; hence, all services have been stopped. It has been reported that Ethiopia decided to close its embassies around the world as a cost-cutting measure.

Sources went on to say that the Ethiopian diplomats in the country will leave soon, while those who were hired locally have been suspended. Sources pointed out that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to be the regional headquarters of the Ethiopian diplomatic facility in the Gulf. Sources added the embassy closure decision will have an impact on the Kuwaiti labor market; especially in terms of hiring domestic and skilled workers. They said Ethiopia sent the highest number of domestic workers during difficult times and when Kuwait had crises with other countries. Talking about the impact of the closure decision on the domestic labor agreement; sources clarified the agreement has yet to be signed, as the Ethiopian side is still waiting for the approval of the Kuwaiti government./agencies