Starbucks Coffee Company and the Government of Ethiopia have agreed to sign a licensing, distribution and marketing agreement recognising the country’s specialty coffee names.

Government spokesperson Getachew Mengistie said: “Ethiopia is committed to work in partnership with all international specialty coffee companies and distributors of its coffees, including the Harar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe brands.

“We realise our approach to trade marking and licensing is a new approach which not only meets the needs of small Ethiopian fine coffee farmers and traders but also the coffee roasting and distributing companies and their customers.”

Howard Schultz, chair of Starbucks, added: “The Government of Ethiopia and Starbucks look forward to formalising the details of the agreement.”

The agreement in principle is expected to be sealed later this month.