The Ethiopian Airlines inaugurated a thrice-week flight to Singapore, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The inaugural ceremony took place Monday at the headquarters of the national carrier in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the presence of senior officials, business people and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the flight, Tewolde Gebre- Mariam, CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines, said the Addis Ababa- Singapore flight would be facilitating exchanges between African countries and Singapore and through Singapore with the Asian continent.

"Today, we all are happy that we have finished all our preparations and today it is going to mark the first flight to Singapore," said Tewolde.

"This is not only a direct flight between Addis and Singapore but it will be a direct bridge between the continent of Africa and Singapore and through Singapore to the continent of Asia."

"Singapore is a role model of success in a very short period of time. Singapore today is categorized as one of the highest GDP per capita; and Singapore is a role model of free market economy, innovation, and creativity. So, we Africans have many things to learn from Singapore," he said.

"Many African countries today have started a long journey of economic growth, expansion and development, Ethiopia included. Therefore, the direct flight is going to facilitate exchange of knowledge, technology transfer, and experiences among African countries on this side, on this continent and also Singapore on the other continent," he added.

Tadesse Haile, Ethiopian State Minister of Industry, noted that the launch of flight to Singapore would contribute to Ethiopia's endeavor towards sustainable development as Singapore is a strategic country in terms of technology, market, global market, and sustainable development.

The Addis Ababa-Singapore flight has a number of positive impacts on the economies of Ethiopia and the rest of Africa.

Getachew Mengistie, Ethiopian State Minister of Transport, said the inauguration of the flight to Singapore would create closer economic and tourism ties between Ethiopia and Singapore.

Singaporean Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and for National Development Lee Yi Shyan stated that the flight would connect the two regions in meaningful ways.

He highlighted the role the flight has in the tourism sector.