Somalia, Kenya sign power, electricity pacts

The transitional federal government of Somalia on Saturday signed power and electricity pacts with neighboring Kenya, a Somali official said.

Abdurrazak Sheikh Muhyidin, the minister of petrol and electrical energy, water and minerals, said that Kenya is ready to help Somalia restore its power supplies.

The minister also said Somalia will be provided electricity generating equipment, including solar devices, by the Kenyan government.

The accord, which took place in Nairobi, was signed by Somalia’s power and energy minister and Kiraitu Murungi, the Kenyan minister of energy, according to Muhyidin.

Murungi said Kenya will aid the construction of electricity plants in Somalia.

The minister also said Kenya will help train the employees of Somalia’s ministry of electricity and energy.

Muhyidin said the Somali government will enroll all private electric supply companies in the nation in an effort to unite them.

The lack of a strong central government since 1991 has led to many Somali businessmen establishing private electricity companies.

Source (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020854038?Somalia,%20Kenya%20sign%20power,%20electricity%20pacts)

The above is probably related to:

Newly-found Somali company to bring peace to country

Five Somali companies signed an agreement here on Sunday to establish a joint company providing much-needed electricity and gas infrastructure to the under- developed country.

The agreement was signed at the sideline of the round table meeting after the closing of the United Nations' Somalia Conference in Istanbul.
Sharif Ahmed Said, director of the Somalia Business Council, said: "this project will give Somali people the peace dividend that has eluded them for so long."

The Trans-National Industrial Electricity and Gas Company will start with an investment of 1 billion US dollars from the partners and other investors. The five companies, which asked to remain unnamed for the moment, will provide the initial 300 million dollars down payment. The five companies are all local, not international.

The remaining funding will be provided by individual, not institutional, investors and by the manufacturers themselves, Abdullahi Hussein, spokesman for one of the companies told Xinhua.

The company aims to implement the Somalia Peace Dividend Project, a labor intensive electricity and gas infrastructure program to provide these services for the new industrialization of Somalia, and will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, expected to start in the next 6 months, will train and use the skills of young people to provide electricity to exclusive economic zones and communities.

A written press release said the workers will be able to improve their livelihood as they receive training to construct, install and manage the infrastructure, which will help "reduce poverty, find alternatives to looting, piracy and unnecessary violence and stabilize the country and bring lasting security and prosperity to Somalis."

The second phase where factories will be established in specially designated economic zones for the local transformation or for fisheries, livestock, agriculture and mining industries, is expected to go live in 12-18 months, which Hussein admitted as " optimistic."

Overall, the project aims to provide training and employment opportunities for an initial 100,000 jobs throughout Somalia and Somaliland. Hussein said security was not a concern for the project, adding that "tribal democracy means we leave control and management to the locals, they are part of the company."

Source (http://world.globaltimes.cn/africa/2010-05/534697.html)

Firm to Fund Berbera Port

ADDIS ABABA - French company Bollore Africa Logistics is to invest €500-million in the Somali port of Berbera, a crucial lifeline for landlocked Ethiopia, a diplomat said Wednesday.

Berbera, less than 300 kilometres east of the former French colony of Djibouti, faces Yemen on the Gulf of Aden and is the economic capital of Somaliland, a breakaway state more stable than the rest of Somalia.

"Bollore is about to invest €500-million in Berbera port to improve the port and create a new corridor to the hinterland.

Ethiopia is very excited about that," a French diplomat based in Addis Ababa said.

"The project is not completely finalised, but Bollore has a huge presence in West Africa and is interested in East Africa," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

The company is part of a group owned by Vincent Bollore, a leader in West Africa's ports sector and close friend of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Somalia has the longest coastline on the continent and forms the "horn" of Africa, which juts out into the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden and commands access to some of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

Ethiopia has had good relations with the self-proclaimed government of Somaliland and is heavily reliant on the port of Berbera for supplies.

The Bollore group confirmed to AFP in Paris it was interested in the project but did not elaborate further.

"We have not made an offer yet and no amount has been agreed," a spokesperson said.

Source (http://somalilandpress.com/firm-to-fund-berbera-port-9128)

New Somali Debit Card Expected to Boost Business Transactions
http://www.dayniile.com/Actobar009/Dahabshiil.jpg

In Somalia, there’s now an easy way to access money sent by relatives overseas, a debit card introduced by the Somali international money transfer company Dahabshiil Financial Services

Somalis can use it at more than 250 locations in Somali-speaking areas, including Somaliland, at supermarkets, petrol stations and other businesses that honor the card. For the first three months, customers will not be charged a transaction fee.

If the company’s branches are closed, customers can use a cash-back service allowing them to add an extra amount of money to the total purchase price so they can get cash or buy other goods.

The debit card was introduced this week in Hargeisa, Somaliland, in part, says Dahabshiil CEO Abdirashid Duale, because there’s customer demand from businesses and a steady supply of electricity needed for the Internet, a crucial part of the new debit card system.

“The debit card goes through a system to check for security, [to see if the] customer has money on the card…. Without the Internet [it] will not work,” he says.

Duale expects the card to be available soon in the peaceful parts of Somalia and at some point in the capital, Mogadishu.

Source (http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/a-13-2009-10-30-voa18.html)

Big increase in meat consumption in Dubai

3 May 2010 DUBAI — Dubai’s meat consumption has increased dramatically if the number of animals imported for slaughtering is an indication.

Dubai Municipality has recorded a steep increase in the number of farm animals brought for tests after being imported through various ports in the emirate this year.

The civic body’s Veterinary Services Section, which conducts various tests on imported livestock to ensure animal and public health safety received 3,52,610 animals during the first quarter of this year — an 80 per cent increase from the 196,143 figure for the same period in 2009.

Head of the section Hashim Al Awadhi, told Khaleej Times that 80 per cent of the livestock are imported for slaughtering. “Only 20 per cent goes for breeding,” he said.

The official attributed the steep hike in livestock imports to increased meat consumption and resumption of livestock imports from Somalia after the ban on the country’s livestock was lifted by the UAE’s federal authorities.

“Somalia, India and Pakistan are three major countries from where we receive cows, sheep and goats. Somalia is sending a lot of livestock these days after the Ministry (of Environment and Water) lifted the ban on their imports,” he explained.

The Veterinary Quarantine Unit in the section tests all imported animals, and inspects shipments of animal foods imported and intended for re-export to ensure that they comply with required health and safety specifications in the emirate.

According to Al Awadhi, there has also been an increase in the number of shipments of imported animal feeds during the first quarter of this year. He said there were 273 shipments as compared to 237 shipments in 2009, recording a rise of 15 per cent.

Source (http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=/data/theuae/2010/May/theuae_May60.xml&section=theuae)

WorldRemit Founder Wins Entrepreneurship Award for New Money Transfer System

http://mobilemoneyafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gI_0_somaliachievementawardsa.jpg

Dr Ismail Ahmed, the founder and CEO of WorldRemit, won the entrepreneurship award at the Somali Achievement Awards ceremony held in London on 11 December 2010 in recognition of an innovative online money transfer business he established earlier this year. WorldRemit (http://www.worldremit.com) enables members of the diaspora to send money safely from the comfort of their own homes at any time of day or night.

Dr Ahmed said, “We are delighted to have won this community award which recognises the contribution of our innovative business to the Somali diaspora. Winning this award as well as the prize we won at the prestigious London Business School business plan competition in May 2010 is a fantastic accolade for our business and our team.”

Traditionally migrants used to send money home through “hawala” agents which meant withdrawing cash from a bank, taking time off to visit an agent, queuing up to hand over cash, and presenting identification documents. Up to 90% of transfers are $100 or less, but on average it takes up to one hour to travel to and from an agent location. In some cases the travel costs of those who don’t live near agents are more than the amount they send.

Now, using a variety of payment options including debit and credit cards, customers can send money to family and friends from the privacy and convenience of their own home or office without the need to queue up at an agent location.

WorldRemit currently offers money transfer to 25 countries. Recipients can receive money either by collecting cash from one of the many pay-out locations or directly in their bank or mobile phone account.

Source (http://mobilemoneyafrica.com/?p=2877)

c5mrnTz1ctE

Somalia: Civil War Hides Steady Growth of Internet Services

Balancing Act (London)

March 5, 2007 - Posted to the web March 5, 2007

Russell Southwood
London

Somalia was one of the last African countries to get connected to the Internet after the country established its first ISP in 1999. But today the country has internet connectivity to almost 53% of the whole area of the country and the Internet business is mushrooming in the country and becoming one of the fastest growing services along with telephony.

Based on the 2006 report of Somali Telecommunication Association (STA), a watchdog organisation that oversees the Policy development and regulatory framework of ICT sector in Somalia, by the end of 2005 there were more than 0.5 million users of Internet services in the country with 22 established ISP and 234 cyber cafes with growth of 15.6% per year.

Several types of Internet services are available in the country including dial up services that are mainly provided by the major network operators in the country. The major players include Global Internet Company which is a jointly owned by the three major networks of Hormud Telcom, Telcom Somalia and Nationlink. Global Internet Company is the biggest ISP in the country and the sole provider of dialup services in South- central regions of the country. While in Somaliland and Puntland, Internet services has been bundled within the network products and services whereby each network delivers Internet dialup services into its own subscribers. Major regional service leaders include Telsom, and Ts in Somaliland regions and Golis and STG in the Puntland region.

Dial up internet services in Somalia is the fastest growing internet services in Africa as Somalia enjoys landline growth of more than 12.5% per year compared to Horn and eastern Africa countries where landline is experiencing a serious decline due to vandalism and increase cost of copper cables in the international market. This growth is attributed to the unique services policy adopted by the Somali telcom operators that is based on free local calls within each town of in the country. Landline has become the product of choice and most affordable telecommunication service in the local market. By just paying a flat rate of US$ 10 per month for unlimited calls and US0.005 per minute for Internet connections, with one time connection fee of US$50.

The other high-flying Internet service in the country is Wireless Internet for corporate, learning institutions, UN, NGO and diplomatic Missions. This service is provided by both dial up and non-dial up ISPs. Major cities like Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Bosaso, Kismayo and Galkayo, the services has been delivered at the pricing structure ranging from US$ 150- 300 per month for unlimited internet access with bandwidth rate of 64kbs up and down.

For instance, the capital city Mogadishu hosts the biggest wireless internet services and has largest subscriber base in the country and Dalkom (Wanaag HK), webtel, Orbit, and Unitel are the major leaders of service providers. The challenges facing the wireless internet providers include the cost of subscriber terminal equipment and electricity supply as well the cost of bandwidth.

Somafone, one of the GSM services providers, has also introduced a GPRS service for wireless Internet in the market. GPRS service has not yet picked up in the local market but it is available in Mogadishu and its neighbourhood regions of Lower and Middle Shabelle.

ADSL and LRE( long range ethernet) Internet services are also offered in Mogadishu, specially for the business centres and corporate institutions in the city. The services has not been extended to other major cities in the country but expected to be completed in the near future. So far Global internet is the only operator at the moment able to provide ADSL services in Mogadishu.

In the last quarter of 2006, Dalkom Somalia came up with a programme extending ADSL services throughout the country by providing ADSL equipments to all network operators in the country with a revenue sharing business model, after realising a great shift of Internet connectivity and the huge demand for broadband services in the market. Most of the operators are studying this proposal and expected to be endorsed by this year. It hopes this will help the operators to improve internet usage, increase the subscriber base and connectivity of internet in the country. Dalkom Somalia says it has technical and resources capacity to roll out countrywide ADSL services in collaboration with all the networks in the country.

The cost of ADSL services in country, believed to be the cheapest in the sub-region. For instant, the cost of the terminals plus the installation is about US$100 while the rate of services is determined by the number of computers that to be connected. For example ADSL services connected to one computer costs US$30 per month for unlimited Internet access and unlimited downloads.

Internet over the satellite services is also offered in the country especially in the remote areas and the cities that have no either dialup or wireless Internet services. Major clients include UN, NGOs, financial institutions particularly the remittance companies and Internet Cafes. Currently over three hundred satellite terminals, connected to various teleports in Europe and Asia are available throughout the country. This type of services have shown a stable growth of 10-15% per year.

But the more the broadband wireless Internet increases throughout the country, the less there will be a need for satellite Internet. Therefore the market for satellite Internet has gone down in the past three years in the urban areas of Somalia while this type of services picked up in the rural areas and the demand has been steadily growing up. The Educational centres, media companies and financial institutions have been contributing to the growth of the demand of Internet over the satellite services as these institutions are pushing the extension of services into the remote areas of the country, in order to be able to operate in rural areas.

The biggest challenge for Internet services in Somalia is the cost of bandwidth as most of the customers are currently paying between US$ 2500-3000 per Mbs per month. The Major international bandwidth providers include TAIDE, Skyvision, Etisalat, Sinosat, and Newskies , Eutalsat, Panamsat and Intelsat.

Dalkom, an international gateway and Internet backbone operator in Somalia provides various products and solutions for the internet services providers(ISP), corporate institutions , learning centres and cyber Cafees include cheap bandwidth through Its backbone, internet over satellite and Premium routes for the content providers and media operators as well international voice gateway services for global carriers.

Dalkom Somalia considers the internet market one of the fastest growing sectors in the country and it will keep on growing in the next two decades as market is shifting into data and Voip services. Most of the ISP are shifting to development of contents, integrated solution of Voice and data, VOIP, hosting and video streaming as e-commerce and media over internet are the deals of the day. Dalkom's international gateway has a capacity to support the growing internet market demand of country and still trying to source more affordable bandwidth in the international market in order to improve affordability of bandwidth in the local market as bandwidth becomes a precious commodity in the market. Dalkom Somalia has also plans to expand its international gateway services into regional operators by building a sub-station in the regions of Somaliland and Puntland as well the completion of its commercial national backbone in order to further improve international connectivity of the country and minimise the cost of network operations as the current international gateway supports the network operators in South-central Somalia

Source (http://allafrica.com/stories/200703050656.html)

Government of Punt Land State of Somalia, Lootah Investment sign strategic agreements worth Dhs170m

Lootah Group, a regional industrial group operating in Middle East and Africa, has signed incorporation agreements with the Punt Land State of Somalia Government, initially worth Dhs170m.

The newly born companies will strive to develop, manage and operate the Bosaso Airport, Seaport and a Free-Trade Zone as well as co-manage state customs.

According to the agreement, a set of new companies will be established. The Bosaso Airport Company will have a mission to provide leading airport aero-ground services. It will initialy work to complete the Airport Complex towards international standards including its new 3.4 km runway, taxi and apron areas, main and auxiliary buildings and security perimeters.

The Bosaso Seaport Company shall have a mission to provide attractive seaport services by increasing berth depths and maneuvering capabilities, increasing the quayside by 400%, and establishing a prefab concrete block shoulder at sea to protect basin from swell. The Bosaso Free Trade Zone over 500,000 square metres shall improve logistic services and cost/performance to all merchants and traders alike.

Integratia Business Group, a subsidiary of Lootah Group has also signed a professional services agreement to co-manage Bosaso Customs for the coming 10 years and introduce best practices that will increase agility to material movement, improve merchant satisfaction and add to state earnings. On the onset, all the current business areas; laws, bylaws, policies, standards, regulatory, work processes, human capacity, financial and technologies, will be developed and set to meet the international standards for safety, security as well as boost of overall effectiveness and effciency.

His Excellency, The President of the Punt Land State of Somalia Mohamud Musa Hirsi, welcomed the agreement saying:

"These infrastructure and services initiatives are key to position our state on the fast track for growth. At the home of Africa, Bosaso is situated at the crossroad of business and trade. We should put all our effort to make the Punt Land State of Somalia a safe place for foreign investors, and help grow our economy. These new initiatives will also have a positive impact on the people of Somalia, as new job opportunities arise. We believe that this new partnership with Lootah Investment will help us reach a better future."

Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed Lootah, Chairman of Lootah Investment and Lootah Group, added:

"We are very committed to support the growth vision of his Excellency the President of the Punt Land of Somalia and we are very privileged to partner with the state government. We have carried out many projects across the region and we have the appropriate knowledge to help grow these initiatives to fruition and success."

Source (http://www.ameinfo.com/176786.html)

Constantine, salaam. This is a good thread idea. :cheers: http://www.banadir24.com/images/smiley/somalia.gif

With the livestock ban part of history and agriculture starting to rebuild, things are starting to look up!

Beledweyn River Water Filtration Plant

http://hiiraan.com/images/2011/Jan/Naspure.gif

Press Release
Thursday, January 06, 2011

Napsure supplied a modern and state-of-the-art river water treatment plant with a production capacity of 100m3/day to Furat Mineral Water in Beledweyn, Somalia.

Naspure is a Sharjah (UAE) based and Somali owned company specialized in the design, manufacturing and installation of water treatment plants. The installation and commissioning of the treatment plant was made by local technicians following an Operation & Maintenance Manual written in Somali language without a single mistake.

The treatment plant is very modern, fully automated, compact and operated by PLC (programmable logic controller). The treatment plant removes dirt, particles, disease causing bacteria (pathogens), and viruses and produces a high quality drinking water that far exceeds WHO standards. Naspure will heavy rely on local technicians for any future water projects in Somalia.

The treatment plant is currently operated by Furat Mineral Water, a Beledweyn based company. Furat’s owner Abdulqadir Nuur Liiban is very pleased with the excellent services provided by Naspure. - Source (http://hiiraan.com/news2/2011/Jan/beledweyn_river_water_filtration_plant.aspx)

http://hiiraan.com/images/2011/Jan/Naspure1.jpg

Company website: www.naspure.com

great thread. I love how Somalis themselves are so motivated and entrepreneurial, almost every business success you hear about in Somalia is from a Somali, either diaspora or local. (and in mobile communications and internet, they seem to really be thriving)

I can only imagine how far the country could go if it only had peace.

^The situation forces them to take the initiative, its not really a case of motivation per se. If you want a school, hospital, Internet, Cinema & recreation in your town, you have to organise and build these structures and links yourself, since at the moment there is no one in the capital that has the capacity to do it for you, so you have to rely on yourself and other like minded citizens and diasporans.

I do hope this "do it yourself" culture is fully ingrained across the country by the time peace returns in the South.

:cheers: Love this initiative. Water resources is a major issue that is ignored in Somalia.


great thread. I love how Somalis themselves are so motivated and entrepreneurial, almost every business success you hear about in Somalia is from a Somali, either diaspora or local. (and in mobile communications and internet, they seem to really be thriving)

I can only imagine how far the country could go if it only had peace.

Other than peace and a government, what would be great would be a functional financial system that supplies credit to companies to expand. We are seeing the start of this with companies such as Dahabshiil which are going further than mere remittance services into full-fledged banks. :) This would make the sky the limit. Of course, the chicken and the egg scenario is rampant here, this can't be done until a truly functional, recognized, and legitimate government with real powers is in place. A central bank is necessary as well.

Sudan & Somalia Are Potential Oil Export Majors; China Sets Scene For Geo-Politics.

CAIRO - International oil companies (IOCs) from the West are reluctant to invest in oil exploration and production (E&P) ventures in Sudan and Somalia, which are likely to become major crude oil exporters in the next decade. With China leading non-Western IOCs into these two countries, the stage is being set for a major geo-political competition for gain from the future energy rewards in this part of Africa by the Western powers.

The Western IOCs have concentrated on West Africa and its deep waters, a major petroleum province overtaking most other non-OPEC sources of light/sweet crude oil. Although this region's main oil producers, Nigeria and Angola, are members of OPEC, the others there have grown as exporters of high-quality crude oils. But their exports will decline rapidly from 2011. Nigeria remains the most popular source of such light/sweet crudes, despite chronic unrest in this country

East Africa, however, is emerging as a rival to the west and the north of this continent. This poses a major challenge to Western IOCs which are barred from Sudan and Somalia by issues ranging from human rights to a US-led war on Islamic terror groups. But the US is starting an exit strategy in Iraq - with regional implications for the oil-rich Persian Gulf Persian Gulf, arm of the Arabian Sea, 90,000 sq mi (233,100 sq km), between the Arabian peninsula and Iran, extending c.600 mi (970 km) from the Shatt al Arab delta to the Strait of Hormuz, which links it with the Gulf of Oman - and is beginning a push into East Africa. This should encourage Western IOCs to prepare for a move into East Africa, where they will be competing with Chinese and other Asian IOCs.

China is the biggest investor in Sudan and is moving into Somalia's petroleum resources. And, as Petroleum Argus Argus Media Ltd (formerly known as Petroleum Argus Ltd) is a leading independent provider of price information, market data and business intelligence for the global petroleum, natural gas, electricity and coal industries.

China is the world's second largest oil market, having grown from 5m b/d in 2002 to over 7m b/d. Though still far smaller than the US market (21m b/d), China's has grown by more than 400,000 b/d a year since 2002; US oil demand growth is limited to 250,000-300,000 b/d per annum.

Yearly. . China drives the oil market, while the US is becoming less relevant each year. China in 2007 is expected to overtake the US as the world's biggest green-house gas (GHG) emitter.

Sudan now is producing over 540,000 b/d of crude oil and exporting 425,000 b/d of crude and 30m tons/month of refined petroleum products. Its exports should exceed 1m b/d by 2011/12, 1.5m b/d by 2016 and 2m b/d by 2020. Together with Somalia, Ethiopia and other East African countries, this region may by 2020 export 3m b/d - still below West African or North African exports - but in the subsequent years it might get closer to these rivals. - Source (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sudan+%26+Somalia+Are+Potential+Oil+Export+Majors%3b+China+Sets+Scene+For...-a0167520363)

I don't welcome this at all, nothing should be awarded until Somalia is back on her feet and in the same mature political and social position as say Ghana or Algeria before explorations/drilling is started. Though most figures on Somalia's economy are decades old, most observers have noticed a positive trend in the private sector, the growth of services and agriculture which have become more robust. Industry is estimated at 10%; not until this figure is atleast at 25% should oil become a factor, this is to prevent a potential resource dominated and dependent country. :2cents:

I don't welcome this at all, nothing should be awarded until Somalia is back on her feet and in the same mature political and social position as say Ghana or Algeria before explorations/drilling is started. Though most figures on Somalia's economy are decades old, most observers have noticed a positive trend in the private sector, the growth of services and agriculture which have become more robust. Industry is estimated at 10%; not until this figure is atleast at 25% should oil become a factor, this is to prevent a potential resource dominated and dependent country. :2cents:

However, wisely used Oil would be a blessing to get Somalia back on its feet

However, that being said, it would take at least Somalia another 5 to 10 years to realistically thinking about exporting any natural resource

^Seismic studies have already started in Puntland:

http://www.biyokulule.com/admin/pictures/884.jpg

http://www.allsanaag.com/images/dhar1.jpg

Testing and exploration is different to exporting however. Puntland doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure to export Oil, and it won’t have it for quite a while IMO

Also can I get a link to those pictures, look promising

Sure sxb, here they are:

- Duo eye survey in Puntland (http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=884)

- AllSanaag (http://www.allsanaag.com/DetailsPrint.asp?id=4163)

However, wisely used Oil would be a blessing to get Somalia back on its feet

However, that being said, it would take at least Somalia another 5 to 10 years to realistically thinking about exporting any natural resource

As of now, oil is bad thing for us.

I totally agree with constantine, all these oil companies are looking for is profit and more profit.

I don't welcome this at all, nothing should be awarded until Somalia is back on her feet and in the same mature political and social position as say Ghana or Algeria before explorations/drilling is started. Though most figures on Somalia's economy are decades old, most observers have noticed a positive trend in the private sector, the growth of services and agriculture which have become more robust. Industry is estimated at 10%; not until this figure is atleast at 25% should oil become a factor, this is to prevent a potential resource dominated and dependent country. :2cents:

Don't forget corruption, it would just skyrocket from already shocking levels.

Sure sxb, here they are:

- Duo eye survey in Puntland (http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=884)

- AllSanaag (http://www.allsanaag.com/DetailsPrint.asp?id=4163)

Sxb, nice pictures and great link.

Keep up the good work!!!

why somalia lack a highway? geeeeezzz, i was expecting somaliland to fare better, and at least have some connection to Djibouti.


http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4231/1highway.png

Somalia does have roads...not a dual carriageway ok but it has connections to it's neighbors. That map is a future map of a inter-African highway network, I assume with the issues atm they don't want to connect with it but I'm sure in the future this will change.

^ Xusein thanks for the corrections and info bro. I hope for the best, cheers, specialy for Somaliland and Djibouti. I want an easy highway that will take me hours to borama instead of a day geeezzzz :shifty:.

roads = economy, instead of other projects ,somalis should focus on building roads. i mean more roads, and this time, the better the roads the better the progress inter regionaly.

The lack of infrastructure investment is the biggest hurdle to development (other than politics/instability) but I think the officials are starting to figure that out. Personally I think they should let private companies do the work and maybe work out some kind of private-public partnership to build the infrastructure (from roads, electrical grid and water)...

The telecommunications industry is a good example of how it can be done, the companies didn't need a government for that.

The lack of infrastructure investment is the biggest hurdle to development (other than politics/instability) but I think the officials are starting to figure that out. Personally I think they should let private companies do the work and maybe work out some kind of private-public partnership to build the infrastructure (from roads, electrical grid and water)...

The telecommunications industry is a good example of how it can be done, the companies didn't need a government for that.

oh man in Djibouti we're stuck with one main (government owned?) operator called Evatis meanwhile in somaliland alone, you will see many operators. not to mention the other government owned bodies like electricty and water provider.....:ohno:

competition is healty, I think we have a lot to learn.

kudos to somalia :applause:

man one thing i learned from somalis, is that they're good at business looolll seriously, no kidding, damn good when it comes to business and private companies. :okay:

it's very hard to be selv sufficient in Djibouti without much help from the state :ohno:

I want to hear more about Somalis in telecom and resource management like that Naspure company. I'm tired of xawaalah business and it really has no potential or future, I hope the Dahabshiil group and others diversify into other industries at least with investments alone.

^
roads = economy, instead of other projects ,somalis should focus on building roads. i mean more roads, and this time, the better the roads the better the progress inter regionaly.

Somalia isn't really dependent on trade from its neighbours, and its first three main export partners are outside the continent, though the link to Djibouti should be strengthened. However the current network of highways, gravel roads, dirt roads, small ports, large ports, and various airports serve Somali traders well enough for the moment.

Somalia's network of highways is 22,100 km long, 2,608 km of which are paved. The percentage of roads that have been paved and maintained by Somalis during the civil war period is the same as of that of Kenya and Ethiopia, and much higher than in Tanzania. - Link (http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=4693)

Only when the civil strife subsides, can we begin to think about potential stronger regional links in the form of transnational highways. Now resources are better spend on maintaining what we have.

http://oi56.tinypic.com/2jakj93.jpg
Somagem Mining Company Ltd was founded to incubate and grow opportunities in the natural resource sector in Somaliland, 'Company' strategy. The timing reflects the strong outlook in demand for minerals, in particular precious gemstones as an asset class, and a paucity of significant new economic discoveries in recent years.

To meet this supply side challenge Somagem has assembled a team of talented and professional experience. Together we have the necessary skills and network to access and evaluate numerous opportunities and select those with the highest potential. Once identified Somagem incubates a new subsidiary and assembles a dedicated, experienced and highly motivated management team to develop each opportunity. Link (http://www.somagem.com/index.html)

Emerald
http://www.somagem.com/images/Rough-Emerald.jpg

Peterasite
http://www.somagem.com/images/Petarasite.jpg

Ruby
http://www.somagem.com/images/Ruby-from-Borame-District-S.jpg

Saphire
http://www.somagem.com/images/Rough-Saphire.jpg
http://www.somagem.com/images/DSCN1569BIG.jpg

Interesting updates guys, keep it up!

Wonder where in Somaliland they're finding these gems...

Africa Oil Provides Update on Puntland (Somalia)

Africa Oil Corp. ("Africa Oil" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE:AOI)(OMX:AOI) is pleased to announce that Africa Oil, together with Range Resource Ltd. and Lion Energy Corp., its joint venture partners, has entered into amending agreements with the Government of Puntland, represented by the Puntland Petroleum and Mineral Agency, in respect of the production sharing agreements ("PSAs") for the Dharoor Valley Exploration Area and the Nugaal Valley Exploration Area. Under the PSAs, as amended, the First Exploration Agreement has been extended for a further 12 months, from January 17, 2011 to January 17, 2012.

Under the amended PSAs Africa Oil is obligated to spud a minimum of one exploratory well in the Dharoor Valley Exploration Area by July 27, 2011. A second exploratory well is required to be spudded in the Nugaal Valley Exploration Area or, at the option of Africa Oil, in the Dharoor Valley Exploration Area, by September 27, 2011.

In addition, the proposed farmout to Red Emperor of a 20% interest in each of the PSAs, previously announced on June 15, 2010, has been approved by the Government. Under the Red Emperor farmout Red Emperor is committed to pay a disproportionate share of the costs related to Africa Oil's drilling commitments in the First Exploration Period.

Keith Hill, President and CEO of Africa Oil commented on these developments as follows: "We look forward to the upcoming wells in the rift basins of Puntland which we believe could hold similar potential to the geologically related basins in Yemen which contain more than 6 billion barrels of discovered reserves. We appreciate the cooperation and efforts from the government in granting this extension and are in advanced negotiations with a drilling contractor to meet these obligations. We also would like to welcome our new partner Red Emperor to the joint venture."

Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Puntland (Somalia). Africa Oil's East African holdings are in what is considered a truly world-class exploration play fairway. The Company's total gross land package in this prolific region is approaching 350,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. New discoveries have been announced on all sides of Africa Oil's virtually unexplored land position including the major Tullow Albert Graben oil discovery in neighbouring Uganda. Similar to the Albert Graben play model, Africa Oil's concessions have older wells, a legacy database, and host numerous oil seeps indicating a proven petroleum system. Good quality existing seismic show robust leads and prospects throughout Africa Oil's project areas. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm under the symbol "AOI". Source (http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/201149#ixzz1BNdNmRFW)

--

Like I said before I don't welcome this, however its interesting to note that two blocks alone in Puntland have potentially the same yield as Sudan and Yemen.

Wonder where in Somaliland they're finding these gems...

Wonder how much the land near it would cost :shifty:

Wonder where in Somaliland they're finding these gems...

Smart man, I'm thinking about setting up my own exploration team. :cheers:

I was hoping that they would be in Gobolka Togdheer but it seems that is not the case. :(

According to the website, their two mines are in Simodi and Mandheera, two villages further west closer to Hargeisa.

Its a shame that I know Somaliland's geography better than you. :lol:

You can clearly see its Waqoyi terrain. Maybe you could confuse it for Sool, Nugaal or Sanaag or possibly parts of Bari or Awdal, but Togdheer is too reddish and flat (VERY similar to Mudug & Galguduud) to have been featured in the images shown on the website.

Unfortunately no, I'm no expert in telling the regions apart other than towns. :lol:

Not all of Togdheer is flat though, it has foothills in the extreme north.

Unfortunately no, I'm no expert in telling the regions apart other than towns. :lol:

Not all of Togdheer is flat though, it has foothills in the extreme north.

Crash course in North Somali landscapes:

Sanaag-Bari: Very rocky & hilly with a white hue of rocks
Sool-Nugaal: Similar to Sanaag-Bari but it becomes less hilly
Mudug: Semi-flat with red soil and many african umbrella trees
Togdheer: Similar red soil as Mudug but less trees and more rocky
Waqooyi Galbeed: Soil is yellow-brown, hilly.

Crash course in North Somali landscapes:

Sanaag-Bari: Very rocky & hilly with a white hue of rocks
Sool-Nugaal: Similar to Sanaag-Bari but it becomes less hilly
Mudug: Semi-flat with red soil and many african umbrella trees
Togdheer: Similar red soil as Mudug but less trees and more rocky
Waqooyi Galbeed: Soil is yellow-brown, hilly.

There's your lesson, Xusein. When you move south it becomes harder to tell some regions apart, Shabelle and Jubba are hard to distinguish but Jubba is a bit hilly, Bay & Bakool are flat plains with no rivers but sufficient waterfall, Gedo is part arid and part tropical sort of a mix of Bay/Bakool and the river regions.

Thanks for the geography lessons, Janub and Musa. :D

If or when I ever go back I'll try to pay more attention to the styles of land. When I went when I was a teenager, it looked all the same to me. :laugh:

Somalia's Government Plans Regulations, Taxes for Mobile-Phone Operators
By Sarah McGregor - Jan 14, 2011 9:51 AM ET

Somalia will start governing its untaxed and unregulated telecommunications industry to boost growth and investment, said Information, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdulkareem Jama.

The government has drafted rules for managing mobile-phone frequencies, phone numbers and interconnection agreements, a system in which telecommunications operators carry cross-network traffic, Jama told reporters today in Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya.

Somalia’s Finance Ministry is finalizing the details of a tax to be introduced to the industry, he said. Both proposals must be scrutinized by lawmakers before going into force, Jama said, without providing a timeline. “It will be something that will not discourage investment,” he said. “We don’t intend to over-regulate or over-tax.”

Somalia’s Western-backed government has been battling insurgents, including the al-Shabaab militia that has pledged loyalty to al-Qaeda, since 2007. Most of southern and central Somalia has been seized by the insurgents, while the government, led by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, controls only parts of Mogadishu.

The country hasn’t had a functioning central administration since the ouster of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Small-scale mobile-phone operators set-up businesses in the country and began to flourish amid the chaos, said Jama. The Horn of Africa nation currently has 11 licensed telecommunications companies.

‘Cheap Rates’

“Rates are cheap and service is available everywhere,” he said. “This is a success story. The intention of the government is to encourage this investment and do everything possible to allow this to grow faster.”

The government plans to connect Somalia to an underground fiber-optic cable that links east and southern Africa known as Eassy, enabling domestic operators to switch from slow and unreliable satellite connections, Jama said.

There are no official statistics on the amount of revenue the telecommunications business generates or the number of mobile-phone users in Somalia on account of the disorganization of the industry at present, said Jama.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sarah McGregor in Nairobi at smcgregor5@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Paul Richardson at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-14/somalia-s-government-plans-regulations-taxes-for-mobile-phone-operators.html

Let's see how this goes, I want to see if this can actually be implemented.

Although not de jure under TFG reign, I noticed a bad thing about the massive liberalization of the telecommunications industry when I visited Hargeisa. The phone companies do not share infrastructure or links so there are companies and even houses that have more than one phone number due to companies not sharing, perhaps it has changed since then but I found that very inefficient and wasteful.

A college of Islamic Finance recently opened in Bosaso. :cheers:


Xarun Lagu Baranaayo Dhaqaalaha Islaamka oo laga Furey Bosaaso

Machad cusub oo lagu baran doono dhaqaalaha Islaamka isla markaana lagu magacaabo (College of Islamic Finance) ayaa si rasmi ah laga furey magaalada Bosaaso ee xarunta gobolka Bari.

Xaflad xariga looga jaraayay machadka ayaa ka dhacdey Hotelka Jubba ee magaalada Bosaaso,waxaana kasoo qaybgalay masuuliyin uu kamid yahay Wasiirka Amniga Puntland Gen.Yuusuf Axmed Kheyr,Duqa degmada Bosaaso Maxamuud Faarax Beeldaaje,Culimaa’udin,maamulka machadka,martisharaf iyo dadweyne kale.

Munaasabada waxaa lagu furey aayado qura’aan,waxaana hadalo kasoo jeediyey Sheikh Fu’aad Maxamuud Xaaji Nuur kaas oo sheegay in muhiim tahay barashada dhaqaalaha Islaamka isagoo dhalinta ku booriyey in ay bartaan kana faa’ideystaan xirfadaan.

Maamulka Machadka Mudane Xassan Cumar Axmed iyo Drs.Ca’isho ayaa ka hadlay xaflada,waxaana ay sharaxaad ka bixiyeen qaabka ay ku aas aaseen machadkaan.

Link (http://horseedmedia.net/2011/01/24/xarun-lagu-baranaayo-dhaqaalaha-islaamka-oo-laga-furey-bosaaso-sawiro/)

http://horseedmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_1510.jpg

http://horseedmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_1502.jpg

http://horseedmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_1497.jpg

http://horseedmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_15051.jpg

Dahabshiil Helps Strengthen Somali Currency, Says The Economist

LONDON, February 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In an article titled, 'Commerce amid the chaos', The Economist this week referred to the inherent instability of Somalia's monetary system and described how the country's banks, in particular Dahabshiil, are helping to resist the steady depreciation of the Somali shilling by facilitating large inflows of foreign capital in the form of remittances.

The Somali economy has become deeply dollarised, but the home currency continues to be issued on a large scale, resulting in its continuous depreciation along with double-digit inflation, especially for low-value transactions. With only reactive, ad-hoc government efforts to counter this decline in value, Somali businessmen assume the shilling is kept afloat by 'common assent'.

What is more likely, as the article points out, is that the constant inflow of foreign currency in the form of remittances plays a valuable role in retarding this trend by exerting upward pressure on the shilling's value. The largest of the transfer companies handling this capital flow, Dahabshiil, is a global money transfer operator with one of the fastest-growing agent and branch networks in the industry. It was established in 1970, primarily to enable migrants to transfer funds back to their families through the sale of imported goods.

Forty years on, remittance transfer remains Dahabshiil's core business, but the company has diversified to offer a broad range of services to international organisations, businesses and private individuals, and is compliant with international standards including AML (Anti Money Laundering) regulations. Dahabshiil is now the leading financial services provider in the Horn of Africa, with full banking licences to operate in Djibouti and a number of other East African countries.

With payout locations in some of Somalia's remotest regions, Dahabshiil's service is recognised by the inhabitants as an indispensable lifeline. But the benefits go beyond this. The regular flow of funding from abroad has helped to strengthen the private sector by expanding investment in construction, transport and telecoms. This process is set to be further enhanced by the introduction of increasingly sophisticated technology, central to Dahabshiil's strategy, to make remittances even easier to transfer and help them to penetrate further. Not only is the upward trend in remittance income likely to continue, but its effectiveness as a catalyst for development will be continually improved.

As well as facilitating private investment, Dahabshiil also invests $1 million of its annual profits in community projects in Somalia to improve schools, hospitals, agriculture and sanitation. In the UK, where Mr Duale spends much of his time, the company sponsors a number of social events including the Somali Week Festival and the Somali Youth Sports Association.

Dahabshiil has regional offices in London and Dubai, and employs over 2,000 people across 144 countries.

SOURCE Africa Business

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dahabshiil-helps-strengthen-somali-currency-says-the-economist-116311884.html

Somaliland Telecom Industry-The New Decade and the Challenges Ahead

(19-Feb-2011) – SGS published a ground-breaking report which analyses the current state of the Somaliland Telecom Industry. This comprehensive report which is in the form ‘whitepaper’ talks about the evolutionary stages that the industry has been undergoing over the last decade and the challenges lie ahead in the new decade.

For the first time of its history, this report measures the teledensity and the internet-density of the current Telecommunication Industry in Somaliland by analysing the data collected from reliable sources in Somaliland. The fgures show that the total number of lines are 357,000, of which 290,000 are mobile subscribers. This means that the teledensity is approximately 10% and the internet-density is around 3%, which is much lower than expected.

The report also talked about the service types and the technologies used by the various Telecom Operators (aka Network Operators). It points out that Telesom is by far the biggest player in the market and can safely be referred to as the only one with SMP (Significant Market Power) privilege. SomTel is also the second largest operator, with a growing number of Internet users.

Finally, the report delves into the major challenges that lie ahead and points out the difference between ‘Fragmented and Lawless Market’ and a ‘Regulated Market’ is the implementation of 6 classes of policies. In a simple language, it talks about the benefits of each policy and the options that can be considered through the process of Regulatory Framework formation.

In particular, the report points out the unfortunate situation that all Somaliland telecom traffic (voice and data) are going through a switch managed by Djibouti Telecom. This is with the exception of small amount of data routed via the Setellitte. The evidence of this can be proved by the geographical IP addresses supplied to the local Telecom Operators, which use Djibouti Telecom ip addresses.

This report from SGS is the first of its kind to offer both investigative and consultational report to the policy makers, in the hope that they will act on the advices and seek assistance where it is necessary.

The full report can downloaded from here but if you have further queries please don’t hesitate to contact us below)

(The Report is authored by Ahmed N. Amin, CEO of Small Globe Solutions – ahmedamin@smallglobesolutions.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-telecom-industry-the-new-decade-and-the-challenges-ahead-20307

Somali Companies as usual doing the job of the national and regional government:

http://www.golistelecom.com/upload/76.gif
GOLIS implements Road Safety Project

Keeping in mind its Corporate Social Responsibilities, Golis Telecom Somalia has pioneered a project of Road Traffic Signs from Bosaso to Galkaio and also from Garowe to Tukaraq District.

This project aims at reducing or preventing the level of incidents that occurs due to non-availability of these signs. This Project was proposed by the government to the business community in a meeting held at Panorama Hotel along with other developmental projects like Building 2 storey in Bender Qasim Hospital in Bosaso.

Golis accepted to implement solely the high Road Traffic Signs Project while all other companies combined took the Hospital Building.

A formal meeting was held at the Presidential Palace in Bosaso between Government and Golis Company attended from Government side the President Abdirahman Mohamed Faroole, Vice President Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire and other cabinet members, Golis Telecom delegation headed by Adam Sheikhdon Cali Golis General Manager and Abdullahi Ali Omar Golis Operational Manager and other departmental heads of the company.

The Project was announced officially at that meeting the Government applauded Golis for its never ending contribution to the society and its development and thanked for its generous attitude towards public issues.

Golis General Manager also reiterated the Company policy of Corporate Social Responsibilities which he said “we consider it as an obligation not as a charity” he pledged that Golis will always do all it can to re-pay our People the dividend’s it earns from the public the General Manager termed this as part of the Company Core values which they will uphold forever.

The first phase of the project is being completed now by Mohamed Mire the Manager of the Project and he told that the survey of the whole road and selecting the points of danger which require signs has been marked in collaboration with Traffic Police Officers and Representatives from Minister of Public Work. He also told the result of the survey has been submitted to NESHA to register their comments. Mire Told that NESHA also has approved and registered some advice.

Mr. Mire expressed his thanks to all Government agencies specially Officers of Traffic Police, Ministry of High and Public Work and also NESHA Agency. - Source (http://www.golistelecom.com/detail.php?id=76)

A Telecom company financing road construction? Ha. Interesting it could work for them in the diversification front if successful. At least there's no bureaucracy involved...;)

Good effort but will it really reduce road accidents? I heard the major cause of road accidents in Puntland is due to camels who appear on the road out of the blue (usually from behind acacia trees). Imagine driving 100 mph and a 900 pound camel appears out of nowhere.. Way too many free roaming wild camels in the Northeast.

I think either sidewalks could be built to get them off the street or small overpasses so they don't mess with traffic.

by Benjamin Powell
Somalia: Failed State, Economic Success?


Perhaps the title overstates the situation slightly. It is hard to call any country mired in poverty an economic success. Yet by most measures Somalia’s poverty is diminishing and Somalia has improved living standards faster than the average sub-Saharan African country since the early 1990s. In that sense Somalia is at least a relative success story. The most interesting part of Somalia’s success is that it has all been achieved while the country has lacked any effective central government.

There is no doubt that Somalia remains extremely poor today. However, as far as living standards can be assessed, they appear to be improving since the collapse of Somalia’s national government. In fact, standards are improving faster in Somalia than in most of sub-Saharan Africa.

In other research my coauthors and I used the World Development Indicators to compare Somalia’s performance with 41 other sub-Saharan African countries in both the current period and, when data allow, over time.

Although Somalia’s 2005 standard of living was low by western standards, it compared fairly favorably with other African nations. Of our 13 measures, Somalia ranked in the top 50 percent of nations in five and only ranked near the bottom in infant mortality, immunization rates, and access to improved water sources. Although in 2005 the nation placed in the bottom 50 percent of countries on seven measures, it has actually improved performance relative to other countries since the collapse of the Somali state.

Telecommunications is a major area of success in Somalia. The one measure for which we have complete data, telephone landlines per 1,000 of population, shows dramatic relative improvement since Somalia became stateless, moving from 29th to eighth among the African countries included in our survey. It ranks high in mobile phones (16th) and Internet users (11th), while it ranks 27th in households with televisions.

In many African countries state monopolies and licensing restrictions raise prices and slow the spread of telecommunications. In Somalia it takes just three days for a landline to be installed; in neighboring Kenya waiting lists are many years long. Once lines are installed, prices are relatively low. A $10 monthly fee gets a customer unlimited local calls, and international calls are only 50 cents per minute. Web access costs only 50 cents an hour. According to The Economist, using a mobile phone in Somalia is “generally cheaper and clearer than a call from anywhere else in Africa.”

Life expectancy in Somalia fell by two years from 1985 to 1990, but it has increased by five years since becoming stateless. Only three of the 42 countries improved life expectancy as much since 1990.

We also compared Somalia to a subset of African countries that have been peaceful to make sure that it was not wars in other countries that account for Somalia’s relative improvement. We found basically the same results.

Somalia’s Lesson

Somalia’s lesson should not be overstated—it is no libertarian utopia. I certainly don’t plan to move there anytime soon. But Somalia does demonstrate that a reasonable level of law and order can be provided by nonstate customary legal systems and that such systems are capable of providing some basis for economic development. This is particularly true when the alternative is not a limited government but instead a particularly brutal and repressive government such as Somalia had

Somaliland [Somalia] Plans to Enforce Compliance on Tax, Double Revenue

March 31, 2011, 8:26 AM EDT

More From Businessweek

March 31 (Bloomberg) -- Somaliland, the breakaway republic in northern Somalia, may double revenue collection this year as it enforces tax compliance among the country’s 40 biggest businesses and richest individuals, the Finance Ministry said.

The autonomous region expects government income to total $100 million this year, even after the government slashed tax rates and abolished other levies, Vice Finance Minister Warsame Said Abdi told reporters in the capital, Hargeisa, yesterday. As of Jan. 1, payroll and sales taxes fell to 5 percent from 12 percent, while income taxes dropped to 10 percent from as much as 25 percent, Abdi said.

“Somaliland people aren’t tax-oriented,” he said. “What they give to the government is seen as a loss. We are trying to educate them. We’ll use it to build schools, hospitals.”

Somaliland, a former British colony, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the fall of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre. While no country has yet officially recognized its independence it has remained largely free of the clan warfare, kidnappings and assassinations that have plagued Somalia.

Somaliland’s government relies entirely on taxes for its budgetary expenses and is debt-free, Abdi said. Foreign assistance is not channeled through the government, he said.

The World Bank is helping to train tax officials and the United States’ aid agency this week agreed to build 10 state revenue centers across Somaliland, Hassan Jama Mohamed, the Finance Ministry’s public finance management coordinator, said in Hargeisa yesterday.

Revenue Loss

The loss of annual revenue from Telesom, the country’s biggest telecommunications operator, alone is about $25 million, because of authorities failing to enforce the domestic tax laws, according to Abdi.

“We haven’t had the capacity to do the auditing or enforce the existing laws,” Mohamed said.

The government is counting on improved revenue collection this year to pay for a doubling of salaries for civil servants, the police and military and a free primary-school education program introduced at the start of the year, he said.

--Editors: Paul Richardson, Karl Maier.

Horn of Africa to double livestock exports to Saudi Arabia

The kingdom announced on Friday it will increase livestock imports from the Horn of Africa by two-fold by 2012.

A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Water said Saudi Arabia plans to import close to 2 million heads of a livestock that comprise of sheep, goats, camels and cattle. These imports will targets markets in Djibouti, Somaliland and Somalia. The decision to increase imports follows after Saudi Arabia’s quarantine officials at the Port of Jeddah declared animals from the Horn were disease free, great in quality and strong demand in the local market. Furthermore, the decision was designed to stabilize the local meat market with many Saudis complaining of rising food prices.

Saudi livestock importers already operate a major quarantine facility in the port of Djibouti, two in Somaliland’s Berbera port and one in Somalia’s port of Bosasso.

The two facilities in the Red Sea port of Berbera in Somaliland’s Sahil region have the combined capacity to house 2-2.5 million heads. A third facility owned by Saudi livestock tycoon, Mr. Suleiman Al-Jabiri is currently under construction that will cost $2 million and will hold 1.5 million heads. About four months ago, a Saudi delegation consisting of doctors and vets visited the Berbera facilities and declared both quarantines meet international standards.

Malaysian investor from Burao-based Emerging East African Corporation (EEAC)

Similarly, Somaliland is currently pushing forward with plans to export processed meat and livestock to Malaysia after Malaysian investors agreed to explore business opportunities in Somaliland with some already establishing abattoirs in the country. They say its part of the over all plan by Malaysia to become a “global centre for Halal food and related products”. Malaysia imports over 85 percent of its meat needs except poultry and desparetely needs a Halal market its citizens can trust. Two-third of its meat imports currently comes from India.
Students in Sheikh Technical Veterinary School flaying a camel during their research project

Students in Sheikh Technical Veterinary School flaying a camel during their research project

In December 2010, a team from IGAD, an East African organization focusing on drought control and development, led by Executive Secretary, Eng. Mahboub Maalim visited the Sheikh Technical Veterinary School (STVS) in Somaliland during a graduation ceremony. Mr. Maalim said, IGAD would take over the management of the school from Terra Nuova, an Italian NGO. Mr. Maalim told local media, IGAD plans to develop the capacity of STVS by bringing on board technical teams and institutions such as Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Makerere University, one of the leading universities in Uganda.

The news was well received by livestock traders and animal farmers alike across the Horn of Africa but a devastating drought savaging the region might hurt the current demands.

In October 2009, Saudi Arabia relaxed a eleven-year ban on Somaliland livestock and Somaliland animals have been steadily on high demand in the Saudi Kingdom ever since. Livestock market is estimated to be worth $250-million annually in Somaliland. The main markets for livestock from Somaliland are Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Yemen.

Somaliland/Puntland [Somalia] Road projects


I have been doing some research to total up all the road construction/upgrading & renovations going on in the Past year (Apr2010-Apr2011) and I was like :omg: :lol:

Apart from the 'highways' i.e. the roads that go between different cities, inner-city roads were financed and built by local government. "construction/" shall refer to paving. It would be great if someone could provide more information on road-works in Puntland as I havn't found much info.



Proposed:

(Somaliland)

1) Boorama - Zeila - Djibouti

2) Burco - Hargeisa

3) Berbera - Mait - Erigavo - LasQoray

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/5962/somalilandroads.jpg




Under construction and/or renovation:


(Somaliland)

4) Dilla - Boorama

5) Hargeisa - Dilla

6) Las Anod - Gambadhe (completed)


(Puntland)

7) Galkacayo - Garowe [renovation]





To be renovated :

7) Burco to Berbera




Roads within cities:


(Puntand)

Boosaaso - 3km of paved road

Garowe - road paving (details ?)

Galkacayo - (airport road)



(Somaliland)


Berbera -

- 8 new paved roads (2011)

+ 3KM of paved roads (2010)


Hargeisa - the following paved roads:

1. Cigaal Road

2. ibraahin maygag Road

3. C/laahi Askr Road

4. Samaale Road

5. Cali Asad Road

6. Ahmed dhagax area road

+ 2KM of other road


Burco

- 2 new sections of paved road (2011)

+ 3KM of paved roads (2010)


Boorama - paving of main roads ~>2KM

--------------------------------------------

So there are many roads/highways being paved. If they keep this going for 10 years or so :cheers:

Interesting articles, thanks for sharing!

Great to see the road construction, infrastructure is key for development.

I have found some more road projects:

Boorama:

- Sheikh Ali Jawhar Area Road (1.6KM)

Hargeisa:

- Sheikh Madar Road (under construction)

- 150 Road

Garowe:

- 5 roads to be paved. First one (1.2KM) under construction

Hafuun (Puntland):

- local people funding and aiming to pave 10KM of the main road. (under construction)

Have any pics been posted of these projects?

Have any pics been posted of these projects?

If you went back between 1 and 6 weeks this topic and photos were littering Puntland media sites. In the construction topic I posted photos of road and sewage construction in the region's capital Garowe. The most intense projects were in Bosaso & Garowe but I saw photos recently of large scale road construction in Qardho, the town between the two mentioned earlier.

Ah ok, I'll take a look at those.

(Barbra, Somaliland) While no government recognizes Somaliland, the business stamp of approval is proving less elusive.

Coca-Cola has issued a second license within Somalia, which will cover Somaliland and neighboring, semi-autonomous Puntland, a tacit recognition of Somaliland’s functioning economy. The company’s other franchise, which is based in Mogadishu, is no longer able to function because of violence in the Somali capital.

Coca-Cola’s vote of confidence – long withheld – may do more to propel investor interest and confidence than any political move. Only two other Coca-Cola franchises remain to be given out in the world: Cuba and North Korea.

Ahmed Guelleh, a Somaliland businessman and owner of Somaliland Beverage Industries, had the franchise to Somaliland – then a region of Somalia – 26 years ago, before war broke out and he lost everything. He won the license back in late 2010 and production is due to start this year.

Mr Guelleh’s band of five brothers is a typical, if highly successful, example of a strong trading family. Their $5m-a-year import-export operation brings in everything from porridge oats to tyres while sending out animal skins and frankincense, as well as serving as agents for a shipping company and DHL.

The Coca-Cola bottling factory, among the first manufacturing investments in Somaliland, with brand new machinery from Austria and Italy, has cost $10m and is expected to generate an annual $3.2m profit, bottling 11,000 an hour and employing 130.

Its establishment has required a tailored approach. SBI found and secured its water supply after drilling for six months in 200 sites. It will sell plastic, rather than glass, bottles because glass takes too much water to wash and can take months to return from the hard-to-reach and insecure east. Instead the company will pay locals to collect empty plastic bottles and ship them to a recycling company in India that will pay for the refuse in a break-even deal.

The company says it will undercut the current Yemen-imported Coke price by about 40 per cent, saying Somaliland is the most price-sensitive market in the world.

“Recognition is the problem, not the place,” says Gavin Dehning, managing director of SBI. A South African who left his job of 14 years to come and set up the factory, he has had to overcome the damaging impact of piracy and the issue of Somaliland’s lack of diplomatic recognition.

When SBI ran out of bitumen to paint a septic tank, it took three weeks to replace it, as pirate-nervous ships dock rarely. Twelve Indian steelworkers critical to putting up the factory were prevented from travelling because the Indian authorities equated Somaliland with its anarchic neighbour — for which it has an advisory forbidding travel.

But Mr Dehning also says Somaliland port authorities are the most speedy and accommodating of any African country in which he has worked, offering none of the red tape or bribery with which he is familiar, and that the company has done everything to make sure it exceeds the requirements of the franchise.

“Coke is not going to destroy its brand because of one small little country,” he said.

Source: The Financial Times

Seminar about Somaliland economy held at Abaarso Tech

Hargeisa- A business seminar about Somaliland economy and businesses was held yesterday afternoon at Abaarso Tech Training center for business community; a place where business leaders go to hone their skills. Guest speakers consisted of Abdirashid Duale, CEO of Dahabshiil Company, Hassan Bulbul, Hadhwanag Hotel and an Entrepreneur and Muniir Haji Abdullahi of Daallo Airlines. Jonathon Starr from Abaarso Tech boarding school moderated the discussion. Hargeisa business professionals and Abaarso tech attended the seminar.

The seminar was organized by Abaarso Tech Business School, which is headed By Jothana Starr. Mr. Starr studied economics at Emory University. He founded of Flagg Street Capital, a private Investment Company that managed more than $170 million in assets. Before he found Flagg Street, Jonathan worked as an analyst at SAB Capital and Blavin & Company. In January 2010, Mr. Starr helped to launch Abaarso Tech University (ATU) with the MBA program, the first post-graduate program in business in Somaliland.

The purpose of seminar was to help students and Somaliland young professionals to explore the prospects of new business opportunities in Somaliland. The seminar covered assessment of major business in Somaliland and changing landscape of business opportunities. Participants discussed the economic changes in Somaliland and what the future holds for young entrepreneurs.

When asked about how Somaliland business landscape in the next 5-10 years, Dahabshiil CEO answered Abdirashid answered, “creation of business does not come from void. There must be need and opportunity for any new ventures. I see private hospital growing in the next few years. So many somalilanders go to the neighboring countries for medical checkup and basic treatment. Somaliland doctors must come up with ways to help somalilanders to be treated in their country.” Abdirashid predicted growth in the energy sector. Muniir Haji Abdullahi of Daallo Airlines said that investment in natural resources like fishery, agriculture and mining would be one of the fastest growing areas of Somaliland economy. Hashwanage hotel owner Hassan Bulbul agreed with them and emphasized that food sacristy will eventfully will lead to investment in food production, especially in fishing and sea resources.

The speakers also answered questions on whether Somaliland can be an agricultural exporter. They all agreed that it Somaliland can export agriculture products. They talked about the past during Siad Barre’s era when Somalia exported row sugar and bananas and there were a lot of manufacturing industries in the country. Dahabsill CEO argued that Somaliland government’s investment in manufacture sector will lead increase in exports and reduce unemployment in the country. They emphasis that Somaliland is not a desert area; it receives rain twice in a year and we can build dams to act as water reservoirs to prevent excessive water getting directly into the sea.

Panel and participants thanked Jonathon Starr for his role in the development of the country particularly in education sector. Hassan Bulbul who talked about this said “Jonathon and the other teachers in Abaarso Tech came all the way from America to teach somalilanders world-class education at a low price. This is really something that we should praise them for. I went to US to study where I could not speak good English and the tuition was beyond what I could afford. And here in Abaarso, the tuition fee is low and you can get help at anytime. I wish I could had this chance as young man.”

Reported by Fuad Abdi Aidid


http://somalilandpress.com/seminar-about-somaliland-economy-held-at-abaarso-tech-22472

:cheers:


SOMALIA: UNDP Sustainable Partnerships with the Somali Diaspora forged

One of the success stories related to Somalis today is that of how effective the diaspora is in supporting relief and development activities in their country of origin. A study commissioned by UNDP on the role of the Diaspora in relief, development and peace-building examines the motivations for support, the factors that influence it, the means and mechanisms by which it is mobilized and transferred to the Somali regions, and the ways in which local Somali actors put the support they receive to use.

This report is based on research conducted in Somaliland\ Puntland, South Central and a number of cities with a high concentration of Somalis in the diaspora.

At a validation session early this week attended by over 100 participants from the Somali Diaspora – the US, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Djibouti and Kenya, local Somali authorities and non-state actors, and the international community, UNDP Somalia Country Director, Alvaro Rodriguez acknowledged the important role of the diaspora in both the financial and social remittances.

“The Somali Diaspora has been a major contributor to the Somali economy and livelihoods through remittances, humanitarian assistance and participation in recovery and reconstruction efforts. Without this support, the Somali economy could have collapsed long ago,” highlighted Alvaro Rodriguez, UNDP Somalia Country Director.

Remittance flows have been estimated at up to US$ 1 billion in 2004 but could be as high as US$ 700 million to Somaliland and US$ 1.6 billion to the rest of Somalia, and representing some 23% of household income and 80% of the start-up capital for small and medium enterprises.

However, the challenge remains to maintain positive interest and homeland ties among the Somali youth around the globe to continue engaging positively with their country of origin.

The team leader of the study, Laura Hammond, Senior Researcher, School of Oriental Studies (SOAS) presented the overall findings and recommendations, some of which include: the international community working with Diaspora „host‟ countries to facilitate an enabling environment for sending remittances and increasing access to travel; establishing two-way communication with the Diaspora, resulting in more effective partnerships; identifying specific areas of support to engage in and building on success stories; facilitating credit opportunities for local communities; encouraging organizations in Somalia to take up corporate social responsibilities; and supporting local administrations to create reliable Diaspora resource centers.

For more information and feedback on the report write to:
kaltun.hassan@undp.org or laura.hammond@soas.ac.uk

http://horseedmedia.net/2011/05/21/somalia-undp-sustainable-partnerships-somali-diaspora-forged/

Potentially 19.9 billion barrels in those two blocks alone? I'm really beginning to wonder how much really lies underneath Somali soil. Former president Siad wouldn't have managed to get a half a dozen big-time global Oil companies to sign contracts with him if the huge potential wasn't there.

Red Emperor and Range Resources prepare for a potentially transformational phase in their development.

http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/genera//img/companies/news/gulfkeystone_desert_convoy_350px_4e1ed28370707.jpg

Thu 12:12 pm by Ian Lyall

Earlier today we heard the Mukhiani-1 well in the former Soviet state of Georgia had been successfully spudded.

As the drill-bit began turning it marked the start of an exciting and potentially transformational period for the two AIM-listed companies involved in the project.

Range Resources (LON:RRL, ASX:RRS) and Red Emperor Resources (LON:RMP, ASX:RMP) respectively own 40 and 20 per cent of two onshore blocks in the country covering 6,500 square kilometres.

The Range/Red Emperor collaboration doesn’t end here. The pair have identical 20 per cent stakes in a high impact exploration project in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia.

For Range, Georgia fires the starting pistol on a drilling programme that could, if all goes to plan, elevate it to mid-cap respectability.

“(It) is entering a potentially transformational phase in its development,” said Edison analyst Peter Dupont in a recent research note.

“Over the next four months Range has three high-impact exploration wells scheduled in Puntland and Georgia plus a development well in Texas.

“Near-term, Range is very much a play on the outcome of the high impact drilling projects, but investors should not lose sight of the Texas and Trinidad assets, which offer both excellent cash generating and development potential.”

For Red Emperor success in Georgia and and Puntland will be key to narrowing the valuation gap between itself and Range.

While Range has more bells and whistles – including producing assets in Trinidad and Texas – there is still a very strong case to be made that Red Emperor’s market cap of £38 million should be a little closer to Range’s £230 million price tag than it currently is.

“Over the last 18 months Range has really been the darling of the market over here in the UK,” Red Emperor managing director Greg Bandy told Proactive Investors recently.

“They have gained a great deal of traction and success, and a lot of the interest has been around the assets (Puntland and Georgia) that we have also got.

“We are on AIM because Range has shown there is a large appetite for these assets over here.”

In Georgia the Mukhiani-1 well is targeting the Vani-3 prospect, which was estimated to have between 41.7 million and 115.2 million barrels of oil-initially-in-place (P90 - P10).

It is expected that Mukhiani-1 will be drilled to a depth of 3,500 metres within 45-55 days. After drilling Mukhiani-1 the rig will move on to spud a second exploration well.

Range completed 410 kilometres 2D seismic on the Georgian acreage which revealed its huge potential.

From this work the independent consultant RPS Energy identified 68 potential structures containing an estimated 2.045 billion barrels of oil‐in‐place.

Puntland, meanwhile, could be of a different order of magnitude again.

The exploration area is 40,000 square kilometres in total and focuses on the highly prospective Dharoor and Nugaal valleys, which potentially contain 19.9 billion barrels of oil in-place. The pair’s joint venture partner and operator is Africa Oil Corp. (CVE:AOI).

Drilling here is expected to get underway at some point this quarter with a two-well exploratory programme planned.

It is thought the first well will be on the Dharoor Block about 120 kilometres west of the Indian Ocean shoreline and roughly 200 kilometres south-east of the principal Gulf of Aden port of Boosaaso.

It is expected to be relatively deep at 4,000-5,000 metres and will target the Upper Jurassic horizons.

Reflecting the depth, gross drilling costs will be substantial at about US$25 million. So both companies will need to look closely at their financing options.

“If we get some definitive news on the drilling timetable and a rig being mobilised then we probably hit the market to cover this cost,” Red Emperor’s Bandy revealed recently.

That said, the company has around A$14 million in the bank, which will fund the imminent two-well programme in Georgia with probably enough left over to meet the costs of the first Puntland well.

“We don’t want to drill three wells with no cash in the bank afterwards,” added Red Emperor’s executive consultant Tony King.

“We want to be fully buffered with some cash underpinning the business. We’ve got that at the moment.”

The reaction to today’s news was somewhat muted with shares in Range up 1.12 pence at 56 pence, and Red Emperor off 0.12 pence at 26.88 pence.

However the importance of today’s release shouldn’t be under-estimated. - Source (http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/30643/red-emperor-and-range-resources-prepare-for-a-potentially-transformational-phase-in-their-development-30643.html)

The company Red Emperor is trumping Puntland on their website.

http://www.redemperorresources.com/IRM/content/default.aspx

Looks like they're drilling for 300 million barrels in Quarter 3 of 2011. This is on an entirely different level.

http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE75L0JZ20110622

I heard about this too. I wonder if they are traded publicly.

With current oil prices, that find is potentially worth $29 billion!! :crazy:

Speaking of trading, I'm thinking about buying shares. JP Morgan of Australia is the single largest shareholder, HSBC also has shares - JP bought $3 million in shares. This looks promising.

They're listed on the Australian Securities Exchanges or ASX, and are soon to be listed on London's junior AIM market.

^^ Thanks.

The potential rewards are big. I just hope this goes further than Africa Oil.

African Oil is backing this whole operation, they've been trying to gain traction for the project and its well on its way.

http://www.iii.co.uk/articles/16249/successful-spud-range-resources-and-red-emperor

Looks like the first well in Georgia's been dug - next destination Somalia.

Wow!

Potentially 19.9 billion barrels in those two blocks alone?

That's really amazing. I really hope they use it wisely like the emirates and help benefit our people and country.

I am staying optimistic but I will reserve my judgment until oil is actually exploited...

9 Days to go according to Africa Oils earlier press release citing a July 27 date for the first well.

Well, I hope Puntland has a contingency plan in place for this potential windfall, or it could get ugly.

I honestly don't think they know how much money is in this, they're not ready for it at all. They've got no sort of petroleum agency, nothing in place even in terms of political infrastructure to deal with the scenario. Its that situation again of the Saudis who didn't even know what oil was but the Brits and Americans were just feeding them. I think Faroole & Co. just expect the White explorer men to pay up at the end of the day, there is no plan in place at all; they don't seem to know the seriousness of it all. You can't expect anyone, let alone Somalis to ever be ready for something of this magnitude.

9 Days to go according to Africa Oils earlier press release citing a July 27 date for the first well.

Finally :cheers:

h h AFRICA OIL CORP.

The company holds two blocks in Puntland, Somalia: the Nugaal Block and the Dharoor Block.

Block Summaries
Country Concession Acreage WI
Somalia Dharoor 14,424 km² 45%
Nugaal 24,908 km² 45%


Somalia Map

http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/maps2009/somalia_map.gif

The Nugaal and Dharoor Blocks are located in the Nugaal and Darin Mesozoic basins in northern Somalia. The Mesozoic basins are interpreted to be extensions of the Marib-Shawba and Sayun-Masila Basins of Yemen. Prior to the opening of the Gulf of Aden in the Oligocene-Miocene, these areas were contiguous and similar sedimentary sequences and structural styles are likely.

Cretaceous basins rifted apart beginning 16-18 million years ago

http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/maps2009/Yemen_Somali_basins_pre_rift.gif


http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/maps2009/Yemen_Somali_basins_post_rift.gif

These concessions are very large and, with only 5 wells drilled, the area remains one of the least explored areas in North Africa.

The Nugaal Basin covered by the Nugaal Valley Block has been identified as having reservoir, source rock and trap potential. International oil and gas companies conducted exploration in the late 1980's in the region. During this exploration phase, a grid of 2D seismic was shot perpendicular to the axis of the rift system in the Nugaal Basin. Based on interpreted maps this data shows a number of large, closed, fault-controlled structures.

In addition, surface geology identified a number of oil seeps along the main basin-bounding faults. Wells drilled on the identified structures encountered numerous oil shows, however, the wells (Nugaal-1 and Kalis-1) did not reach the main exploration target.

The basin fill is extremely thick, with more than 10,000 feet of sediments in some areas. The main target reservoir is the Jurassic-aged sandstones belonging to the Gabredarre Formation. These reservoir sandstones overlie the organic rich shales and marls of the Uarandab Formation, which is thought to be the source rock for the oil seeps observed along the boundary faults. The secondary reservoirs include the deep marine sandstones and shallow marine carbonates belonging to the Upper Cretaceous Gumburo Formation. The marine sandstones of the Jesomma Formation, also Upper Cretaceous in age, are also potential secondary targets. The Jesomma and Gumburo have isopach thicknesses of approximately 1,350 and 2,450 feet, respectively.

The indications from the limited number of wells drilled in the basin are that the basins appear to be oil-prone.

Source: http://www.africaoilcorp.com/s/Somalia.asp?ReportID=352284

h h AFRICA OIL CORP. East Africa Exploration



The Company's assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are world-class oil exploration projects and contain significant resource potential.

Africa Oil holds operated and non-operated blocks in East Africa that contain under-explored plays in basins that have proven and productive analogues, or where the petroleum system is calibrated by existing well and seismic data. The current seismic and well database provides sufficient information to identify a large number of prospects and leads. Some of the prospects and leads have the potential to target multiple stacked plays. Other prospects and leads will test only single plays, but with the potential to test stacked-pay.

World-Class East Africa Oil Exploration Play

http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/maps2009/africa_map.gif

In Somalia (Puntland), the Darin and Nogal Basins are analogous to the proven and production Marib-Shabwa and Sayun-asila Basins of Yemen. These were contiguous prior to the opening of the Gulf of Aden. Therefore similar plays, prospects and leads likely exist in Somalia. This observation allows this area to be calibrated by the better understood Yemeni basins.

In Kenya, Block 9 and Block 10A are located in the Anza Graben. This is a Mesozoic basin related to similar Mesozoic basins of southern Sudan (Muglad Basin) where the petroleum system is proven and productive. The Muglad Basin is an analogue and provides calibration for the analysis of the prospectivity of these licenses. Block 10BB is located southeast of the Anza Graben Block 10A. The block is positioned within the eastern branch of the East African Rift analogous to recent discoveries made by Tullow Oil and Heritage Oil in Uganda within the western branch of the East African Rift.

Block 10BA is located in the northwestern part of Kenya within the Kenya Rift, which is part of the East African Rift System.The Block includes onshore areas to the east and west of Lake Turkana and offshore portions of the northern two thirds of Lake Turkana. Within the Block are several sub-basins and structural fault blocks that are considered part of the Kenya Rift. The Cretaceous age Anza Graben may extend west of Block 10A to underlie the Tertiary age rift system and could add deep exploration targets. Sub-basins include Lake Turkana North, Lake Turkana Central, Lodwar North and Kerio North.

In Ethiopia, the Ogaden Basin is within a proven hydrocarbon setting, however, to date no commercial production has been established. Oil, gas and condensate discoveries indicate that there is a complex petroleum system. The limited available data in this under explored area indicates that there is a wide range of potential petroleum type and volumes in this basin.

The Africa Oil blocks are all located onshore in the north of East Africa (Horn of Africa). All of the blocks are sparsely explored with only limited well and seismic data available to constrain the petroleum system and prospectivity. However, there is sufficient data on the blocks to demonstrate that multiple petroleum systems are developed within each block.

Block Summaries

Country Concession Acreage WI
Somalia Dharoor 14,424 km² 45%
Nogal 24,908 km² 45%
Ethiopia 2 & 6, 24,420 km² 55%
7 & 8, 23,162 km² 55%
Adigala 27,200 km² 50%
South Omo 29,465 km² 30%
Kenya 10A 14,748 km² 30%
10BA 16,205 km² 50%
10BB 12,675 km² 40%
9 23,700 km² 66.7%
12A 15,389 km² 50%
13T 8,429 km² 50%
Mali 7&11 72,614 km² 25%

Source: http://www.africaoilcorp.com/s/Operations.asp?ReportID=352319

SOMALIA, SURROUNDED BY OIL

http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/maps/Surrounded-by-Oil-Map2011-sm.jpg

Source: http://www.africaoilcorp.com/s/Operations.asp?ReportID=352319

^ Nice stuff!

Looks like Iskushuban area is going to be the site of drilling. The locals there chased away Range Resources not long ago but Faroole has built a tight security apparatus for the area.

Sooo did they start drilling yet?

A lot of strange stuff is going on in PL in dealing with this situation. Rumors are saying that drilling work is underway and that PL told told the drilling companies to throw the public off and announce a later date, September. The latest interview with Range Resources director says that Q3 will be mobilization and Q4 will be spudding. From what I hear, there is extreme caution being taken and very heavy security being provided by unknown sources. They are throwing around fake dates across the board and doing everything undercover and docking at night. The equipment mobilization and landing information is out there but it wouldn't be fair if I posted the details - the shipping company is Indonesian and the rig is extremely heavy is what I can tell you for now, and it landed in Bosaso in mid June. What's fact is that the equipment was processed in part in Sharjah and the rest on a different shipment in Suez and its final destination is Bosaso Port. There was an armed escort paid for by the drilling team (or PL, no clue) and followed the parts from Sharjah. None of this information is being published or available but those in the inside crowd know well, I'm lucky to know a few in Bosaso and Dubai. The plan is to make a surprise announcement about spudding, or in a more extreme scenario we'll hear about oil if they wait 2 months for the drill to go deep enough to announce anything. Do not expect news on any Somali mediums anytime soon, there's a tense game at play between PL and Africa Oil in how they'll pursue their mission without attracting attention. Its a lot more private than I thought it'd be, I expected the news to be buzzing like the last time when every reporter in the vicinity made their way to the convoy and documented everything from the landing at Bosaso to the surveys in Bari - it'll be the opposite this time.

This is the latest interview, where the director reiterates the new date, a day after a skirmish in Ufeyn between oil teams & PL and a local clan militia.

http://www.stockopedia.co.uk/content/range-resources-executive-director-interview-q3-2011-58505/

Can't say that Im surprised. :laugh: Let's face it, there is no Somali adminstration poltically mature enough to deal with the issues of oil. I never took the date seriously. This is not a dig against Puntland, I would say the same about SL.

Can't say that Im surprised. :laugh: Let's face it, there is no Somali adminstration poltically mature enough to deal with the issues of oil. I never took the date seriously. This is not a dig against Puntland, I would say the same about SL.

The rig landed in June, the chief drilling company put its stock back on the ASX on July 27, and Africa Oil went to the ground (and was harassed) on July 26, with RR director making the statement about the new dates the same day. Everything points to the spudding actually occurring on-date. The security detail has just complicated the information process. What surprises me more isn't that we didn't hear about a spud but the reasons behind the lack of information.

Some telecom news from Somaliland:


Somaliland: Telecommunication companies agree on Interconnection

HARGEISA (SomalilandPress)— Today at a historic signing Somaliland’s telecommunication companies signed an agreement to allow interconnection for their consumers. The agreement will allow consumers to call out of network coverage without having to change SIM card or phone number. In the past each Somaliland’s telecommunication operators offered services to their own customers on their own network with no interconnection to different operator.

The event at the Mansoor Hotel Somaliland’s Vice President Abdirahman Ismail Ali (Saylici) said this is a historic moment for the country, clients will no longer have to carry with them several phones or SIM Cards so that they can communicate with others. The Vice President went on to say today’s five company signings will reduce the frustration that the consumers have had with the country’s telecommunication companies which were seen as not consumer friendly.

With the exception of Telesom, the country’s five other operators Africa Online, Telecom, SomTel, National Link and SolTeco have all agreed to the terms and pricing of interconnection.

SomalilandPress reporter Abdiqani Baynah who was present at the ceremony spoke with several attendees whom all have welcomed the notion of being able to call directly between subscribers on different network carriers.
Source: SomalilandPress

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-telecommunication-companies-agree-on-interconnection-22988


Somaliland: Telesom unveils country’s first 3G network

http://somalilandpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/t1-300x168.jpg

HARGEISA(SomalilandPress)—Telesom Company Somaliland’s largest national telecommunications operator today unveils the country’s first 3G mobile network service at a well rehearsed grand opening ceremony at the city’s Freedom Park. Telesom which was founded in Hargeisa, Somaliland in 2001 has surpassed the rest with its quality pioneering technology and quality service since its inception. Present at the ceremony from the government were Minister of Justice Hussein Ahmed Aideed, Minister of Social Service Professor Ismail Mumin Aar, and Minister of Commerce Mr. Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed also spoke at the ceremony.


Telesom Company has been known for its innovative strategy in Somaliland’s telecommunication market by being the first to unveil the country’s first mobile banking “ZAAD” service in late 2009 which has been an important life line for millions of Somalis in East Africa. In February 2010 it followed with the inauguration of the country’s first solar powered mobile phone system which allowed urban resident to connect with their nomadic family members.

Mr. Mohamd Salah Abdi who is one of the managing directors of Telesom spoke who spoke at the said “this is a testament of our commitment to innovate the market by deploying 3G network service in Somaliland which will allow our customers to have video and audio streaming, video chat and high-speed internet access the first in the Horn of Africa. This 3G technology will offer advanced mobile broadband services to not only Telesom consumers but also to the business community in Somaliland.

About Telesom
Telesom is one of the leading and most respected names in Somaliland which not only continues to bring innovation and connect this unrecognized republic but also contribute to the development of the community. Telesom funds many of the leading high learning institutions in the country as well as underprivileged students, funds and sponsors social events and brings awareness. They also contribute to the rehabilitation of roads and are currently the main investor of Borama-Dilla highway.

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-telesom-unveils-country%E2%80%99s-first-3g-network-22951

This seems Mogadishu-centric but an interesting video. There is a video provided by the link but I can't embed it as it is not a Youtube/Dailymotion video.


Somalia business sector set for transformation

The long fighting between rival groups has forced the city's main markets and business hubs to seize operation with the traders relocating to markets and trade centers.

Most of the Somalia community have flocked into business sector as their main source of livelihood and many have preferred to open up their stalls due to the current peace prevailing in Mogadishu after the latest end of combat in the capital. The main central market of Bakara, Baad Market as well as the roads that lead to this market have been reopened by the Somalia government.

Somalia before the civil war had a number of ports and international airports. Two of the ports are currently handling large volumes of cargo to and from many countries following both local efforts and international investment.

Business is slowly reviving here in the Somali capital Mogadishu . Roads and markets that were also non operational for close to four years have also been reopened.

Hussein Ali a tailor in Mogadishu says that the roads were impassable before but since fighting halted in early August, he has been able to move freely to the biggest markets of the capital and managed to fill his store with materials for his business. He also hopes for peace to prevail in Mogadishu and urges all parties to choose peace for the betterment of the whole Somali society.

With the main roads accessible now and markets slowly reopening, experts say it is more likely that Somalia business sector is set for major transformation.


http://www.presstv.ir/detail/202264.html

News from Somaliland.


Somaliland: Telesom plays vital part in the progress of University of Hargeisa

HARGEISA (SomalilandPress) Telesom Communication, one of the leading telecommunication providers in Somaliland has promised to take greater role in the advancement of University of Hargeisa. According to Ali Mohamed Salah (Ali Cajab) relations manager during his speech at University of Hargeisa’s commencement yesterday Mr. Salah said “first and foremost I would like to congratulate the class of 2011 and specially to the 8 graduating students who are my colleagues at Telesom.” Mr. Salah went onto say that today’s graduating class also has 10 students who were recipients of Telesom academic scholarship during their four years of education.”

Telesom communication is known for its endowment towards University of Hargeisa in recent years, as the telecommunication company added to the university two additional lecture halls. Ali Mohamed wrap up by saying Telesom’s strong relationship with the management of University of Hargeisa has been beneficial to the students and future of education in Somaliland in general.

Telesom Communication is known for its innovations in Somaliland telecommunication sector. Telesom is the first company to bring mobile banking “ZAAD” in 2009 and more recently the country’s first 3G networks the first in the Horn of Africa.

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-telesom-plays-vital-part-in-the-progress-of-university-of-hargeisa-24023


SF Swiss Financial Bank Investment set to open branch in Somaliland


HARGEISA (SomalilandPress)—Swiss Financial Bank the owners of Banque De Depot Eet De Credit Djibouti (BDCD) today annouced their intention of opening a Somaliland co-shared bank in the country. Their current branch in Djibouti offers range of products and diverse services from agriculture credit to Islamic Savings banking account.

Speaking to Somalilandpress.com/SDWO.com at a meeting held in Hargeisa, Pierre Marazzato the Managing Director and Sales manager of SF Swiss Financial Bank said “we intend on opening a branch of our bank in somaliland where by Somaliland citizens will own 60% and 40% owned by SF Swiss Financial Bank”. Mr. Marazzato went on to say that Somaliland citizens should get the higher percent because there are the owners of the country and should benefit from this partnership. Pierre marazzato concluded by saying once legislators pass the new banking law, we will be the first to open a branch in Somaliland.

This news is seen as a judgment to Somaliland’s democratization and development thus will connect the unrecognized country to the global market. Speaking after Mr. Marazzato was Somalialnd Banking Director Mr. Abdi Dirir Abdi who said the country urgently needs international banking sector because that will help the development of the country and bring in new investors into the country. Another guest speaker at the event was Djibouti Minister of Commerce Mr. Abdillahi Ahmed Abdi who spoke about his country’s experience with SF Swiss Financial Bank and how 51% of Banque De Depot Credit Djibouti is owned his country and the rest SF Swiss Financial Bank. Few of the country’s top businessmen were also in attendance from Haji Ahmed Dahir (Baxsane), Mohamed Ali managing director of Omaar Trading and Suldan Ali Koshin traditional leader and scholar of Banking and graduate of Georgetown University in the USA.


http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-sf-swiss-financial-bank-investment-set-to-open-branch-in-somaliland-23912

Hi all

I am a new, (ex-lurker) of this forum. I hope everyone are doing well.

I have a general (perhaps a noob) question about Somalia's economy & infrastructure:

1) Who would invest in Somalia's infrastructure? For example, improving it's roads, building hospitals etc.

As far as I am aware, there aren't a central government that could fund say a private contractor.

Would the international community fund such a thing and if so, what would be in it for them?

T

Welcome to the forum, T3ST!

We already had a Somali economy discussion thread going on so I merged it with the current discussion.

In my opinion, it will be up to the diaspora in the beginning stages, to invest in Somalia's infrastructure, until foreign companies feel comfortable enough in the stability of the area to invest (there are projects in some areas however). They are already doing this right now, in lieu of conventional financing options through traditional finance options such as remittance services, in the form of private enterprises. Hospitals and health infrastructure is built usually in cooperation with NGOs who have operations in the country that are safe enough.

Welcome to the forum, T3ST!

We already had a Somali economy discussion thread going on so I merged it with the current discussion.

In my opinion, it will be up to the diaspora in the beginning stages, to invest in Somalia's infrastructure, until foreign companies feel comfortable enough in the stability of the area to invest (there are projects in some areas however). They are already doing this right now, in lieu of conventional financing options through traditional finance options such as remittance services, in the form of private enterprises. Hospitals and health infrastructure is built usually in cooperation with NGOs who have operations in the country that are safe enough.

Thanks.

Are there many NGOs for Somalia's roads?

Hi all

I am a new, (ex-lurker) of this forum. I hope everyone are doing well.

Welcome. :)

I have a general (perhaps a noob) question about Somalia's economy & infrastructure:

1) Who would invest in Somalia's infrastructure? For example, improving it's roads, building hospitals etc.

As far as I am aware, there aren't a central government that could fund say a private contractor.

Would the international community fund such a thing and if so, what would be in it for them?

T

The Somali diaspora at the moment is the main investor in Somalia's infrastructure, but countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Malaysia, China, Iran and the EU have invested in building hospitals, modern live-stock facilities and expanding/maintaining roads, as you can see from the general construction (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1277169) topic.

Investment in Somalia has a myriad of positive side-effects, from providing employment, creating opportunities, to raising the standard of living, which would serve as a direct obstacle to extremism and a deterrent to outward-migration.

The countries and entities I mentioned above also have economic motives for their assistance and investment, as Somalia has alot of potential for the future. Malaysia and the Gulf countries are interested in Somali live-stock, China is interested in Somali oil and fisheries, Iran and the EU have a history of importing Somali agricultural commodities, and Turkey sees a foothold in Somalia as an opening into East Africa because of the large Somali merchant network established there.

With a slow return to an accountable Somali government, that can protect investments, you will see a return to the large-scale infrastructural projects of prewar times.

Turkcell pinpoints Libya, Somalia as expansion targets
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTVeK2duhfhrNdQmgV6xlJCovquBzTuH9cxF7l5aYYWJBqWDPnGg92Og8Rdog

According to Hurriyet Daily News, Turkcell, Turkey’s largest mobile phone operator by subscribers, is in the midst of formalising an approach to enter the Libyan wireless market, following the recent political shift in the country. Back in July 2009 Turkcell announced its intention to bid for a unified telecoms licence in Libya, in competition with UAE-based Etisalat. A year later, in July 2010, Libya’s General Telecommunications Authority (GTA) announced that it had refused both offers, concluding that neither proposal was satisfactory. However, Turkcell general manager Sureyya Ciliv now says that his company declined the concession due to the perceived lack of a level playing field; both of Libya’s operational cellcos Libyana and Al Madar are wholly-owned by the state via Libya Post and Telecommunications Information Technology (LPTIC).

Speaking at a press event to mark the fifth anniversary of the company’s call centre in Erzurum, Ciliv told a small group of journalists that the Libyan government also sounded out Turkcell regarding the construction of a fibre-optic transmission network, but once more Turkcell declined. When questioned regarding its intentions to enter the Libyan market, the enigmatic Ciliv declared: ‘Our friends are working on the issue’. The general manager also added that Turkcell has designs on entering the Somalian telecoms sector, providing no further details. - Source (http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2011/09/19/turkcell-pinpoints-libya-somalia-as-expansion-targets/)

Ex-lawmaker lobbies to bring ConocoPhillips back to Somalia

By Kevin Bogardus - 09/18/11 06:00 AM ET

A former member of Congress is lobbying to bring a major oil company back to Somalia. The Moffett Group, headed up by former Rep. Toby Moffett (D-Conn.), has been hired by the Puntland State of Somalia to encourage ConocoPhillips to reinvest in oil-rich tracts of land the company owns in the region but abandoned in 1991.

"I don't want to kick the daylights of Conoco. I just want to ask them what their plans are," Moffett, chairman of the firm, told The Hill.

Under the contract, his firm’s compensation is $10,000 per month, according to Moffett. The agreement lasts a year.

Located on the very tip of the Horn of Africa, Puntland has been an autonomous state since 1998.

Documents filed by the firm with the Justice Department say Moffett and others will represent the Puntland government before the Obama administration, Congress and other U.S. entities.

“It will work towards the goals of promoting peace, security and political stability in Puntland through socio-economic development and helping Puntland benefit from its own natural resources,” the documents say.

Also included with the Justice records is a June 7 letter from the president of Puntland, Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud Farole, to Moffett.

The letter says ConocoPhillips abandoned its oil exploration activities in Puntland in 1991 when the Somali central government in Mogadishu collapsed, leading to 20 years of civil war and splintered government.

“The peace, security and political stability in Puntland can be sustained through socio-economic development, such as better schools and hospitals, construction of public infrastructure, light industry, and job-creation. As such, it is a matter of urgency that Puntland needs to benefit from its own natural resources, including potential oil reserves,” the letter states.

The letter asks Moffett to help find “a tangible solution” to ConocoPhillips’s “inactivity” in the country.

Moffett said he plans to contact Conoco to ask them about what they plan to do with their oil interests in Somalia.

“It needs to develop them. Yes, we're going to have conversations with Conoco and politely ask them what their plans are,” Moffett said. “Depending on what they plan to do, they may face questions from Congress and from NGOs, asking why they are sitting on natural resources that could help Puntland when the country is struggling so.”

Moffett said he is familiar with senior figures tied to Conoco. Ruth Harkin, the wife of Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Ken Duberstein, former Reagan White House chief of staff and chairman and CEO of the lobby firm, the Duberstein Group, serve on the oil company’s board of directors.

Moffett will have a difficult case to make.

Security is an issue in the region where armed gangs and pirates are prevalent and have attacked oil company officials in the past. But Moffett points to a new deal reached between leaders of several regional Somali governments, including Puntland, which is designed to put a long-lasting national government back in place.

“It is not without merit, that position,” Moffett said, referring to security concerns. “I think the historic agreement is going to change that so that Puntland will be even more stable. It gives the Obama administration and U.S. companies a foundation for reexamining the situation.” - Source (http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/182165-ex-lawmaker-lobbies-to-bring-conocophillips-back-to-somalia)

Somalia: Puntland Livestock Law Being Developed

The government of Puntland State of Somalia is developing a new livestock law as part of an effort to boost livestock sector, Radio Garowe reports.

A seminar organized by the Somali Animal Health Service Project (SAHSP) is being held in Garowe. Some 30 persons are attending the three-day conference, including government officials, parliamentarians, Chamber of Commerce and Industry officers, and veterinarians.

Nur Ahmed Yusuf, Puntland's deputy livestock minister, told the participants that the livestock law is in draft phase and requires finalization by the Puntland parliament.

SAHSP program officer Dr. Mohamed Abdikadir Jama said the purpose of the seminar was to review the livestock laws of Puntland State.

The three-day seminar aims to address and discuss key issues relating to livestock, including livestock law and animal health policies. - Source (http://allafrica.com/stories/201110020012.html)

If Conoco went back into Somalia, that would definitely be a slam dunk as far as oil exploration was concerned. I dunno if Puntland and this former congressman can do it, but I bid them good luck.

Turkey's minister to contractors: "Be ready to go to Somalia"
http://www.worldbulletin.net/resim/250x190/2011/10/12/binali-yildirim.jpg

Turkey's transportation minister called on the country's construction sector to finalize preparations for the investment in Somali infrastructure in Ankara on Tuesday.

In his address delivered at the Turkish Contractors Association's (TMB) 2nd National Congress on Highways gala, Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım said, "You will have a significant impact in Somalia with your investments."

Yıldırım, pushing for the mobilization of contractors to invest in transportation on a voluntary basis, said, "Be prepared to go to Somalia in the next month." Calling what has taken place in Somalia a shame for humanity, Yıldırım said investment in the drought-stricken country will be a lesson for the entire world.

Yıldırım said that "Turkey will go [to Somalia] with a different message," working for the welfare of the weak instead of using them. "To do this, we must complete the final preparations," he said.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Somalia sent a very important message to the world, Yıldırım continued. "Turkish contractors will continue on this path that the prime minister began," he said. "With your endorsements, we will further increase investments [in Somalia]," Yıldırım added.

With the international community struggling with economic and political crises, Yıldırım said Turkey should take up the mantle and continue to lead in aid to Somalia. "We will continue investing in transportation. The environment around us is not good. The south is experiencing political crises, while the West faces economic crises. These opportunities [to lead in Somalia] are now being put before Turkey," he said.

Turkey has collected more than TL 504 million in fundraising drives for the people of Somalia, which is suffering from the worst drought in the region in 60 years. In the last month alone, approximately $280 million in donations for the African country, also struggling with internal conflict and poverty, were collected in Turkey.

Cihan (http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=80156)

Good news.

The Turks are smart. A good business tactic is to go counter to the herd. While many Western companies even avoid peaceful regions due to the fearmongering sensationalism of the media, the Turks understand Somalia's potential is too great to ignore in the flurry of pessimism that clouds it.

My prediction...add the diaspora investment, burgeoning livestock deals with the Arabs, and this forthcoming investment from Turkey, the West will be shut out of the future of Somalia. :)

:cheers: I am loving the Turks.

Steady progress in the Communication sector:

Loud and Clear..Somalia’s telecom industry is booming!

Somalia is currently in the midst of a telecommunications boom driven by private investors, who have created a mass market with the cheapest calling rates in Africa. Private investors have put an estimated $194 million into Somalia’s telecommunications sector over the last ten years.

Figures obtained through ICT Labs International in 2010 indicate that there are over 1.5 million mobile phone lines in Somalia, where six telecommunication companies thrive amid Internet users who number more than 2 million. Fierce competitions among a handful of companies have allowed calling rates to fall to less than one cent per minute.

Statistics compiled by the World Bank say that Somalia has about 100,000 landline telephones in use, but about 734,800 people were using mobile phones as of 2007.

Out of 74 towns in Somalia, 47 have had telephone coverage over the past eight years, according to the UN-funded Somali Telecom Association (STA). These are impressive phone use statistics compared to other more peaceful countries across Africa.

The telephone companies that provide much of the service across the war-torn country include Golis Telecom Somalia, Hormuud, NationLink Telecom, Somali Telecom Group, Galkom, Global Internet Company, Telcom, Netco, Somafone, Telcom Puntland and Telenet International. These companies are ready to wire home or office in few hours and provide crystal-clear service, including international long distance for less than $10 a month. Competing phone companies have also agreed on interconnection standards, which were brokered by the STA.

The telecommunications systems are also improving banking ability for many Somalis. Although Somalia’s population routed much of their investment money through the famous money remittance systems (Hawala), the introduction of competition in mobile communications and internet service provision brought the most dramatic changes in the sector. A new mobile money transfer service was unveiled by Somalia’s biggest mobile service provider with the help of Kenya’s Safaricom, which pioneered the system of transferring money by mobile phone in East Africa.

Hormuud Telecom, the biggest network in Somalia with more than a million subscribers, designed a money transfer service for its registered customers much as Safaricom has. The system helps the customers transfer cash to friends and relatives, reliving them from the risk of carrying huge wads of the money.

- Source[/b] (][b)

The Turks are smart. A good business tactic is to go counter to the herd. While many Western companies even avoid peaceful regions due to the fearmongering sensationalism of the media, the Turks understand Somalia's potential is too great to ignore in the flurry of pessimism that clouds it.

My prediction...add the diaspora investment, burgeoning livestock deals with the Arabs, and this forthcoming investment from Turkey, the West will be shut out of the future of Somalia. :)

True, livestock is now also being exported to non-traditional destinations like Lebanon and Egypt:

http://puntlandnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/zaki-3-2-e1318674387556.jpg
http://puntlandnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Zaki-8-2-e1318674527888.jpg

Puntland Exports Livestock to Saudi Arabia

By SUCAAD MIRE 09/28/2011

Businessmen and pastrolists from Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland are expecting to export millions of livestock, mostly sheep, to the Arabian Peninsula during Holy month of Hajj.

This comes after Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on the import of livestock from Somalia in 2009 imposed nine years earlier to prevent the spread of disease.

According to businessmen in Puntland's commercial city Bosaso, more than half a million livestock are ready for exportation to Saudi Arabia within this week.

“The first ship will go to Saudi Arabia this week. Al-Jaabiri Company (Saudi livestock import company) are planning to export to Saudi Arabia an estimate of 600.000 sheep within 45 days and millions others at the end year," Omar Ismail Waberi, livestock investor in Bosaso told Somalia Report.

"We also want to export 500,000 cows and 20,000 sheep to Lebanon, 600,000 camels and 10,000 cows to Egypt this year,” Waberi said. - Source (http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1643/Puntland_Exports_Millions_Livestock_to_SArabia)

KSA wants to double Somali imports by 2013, I have read. The fact that Somalia is nearby is a big bonus. Since livestock is very important to the economy, that could be one of the things that finally could kickstart the economy as a whole.

^Indeed, though I also agree with the bolded part in the article below, the livestock sector could be transformed into a multi-billion dollar industry through various milk and meat products, more processing plants, more markets(including non-muslim countries) etc:

WHERE there are beasts, there is life, goes a saying in Somalia. Half of its people depend on livestock for their survival. This year they will export record numbers of animals. That seems improbable given that a famine is raging in south Somalia, which has seen over a million animals die of hunger and thirst. But the grazing in other parts of Somalia, especially the north, has been excellent and demand for livestock from abroad has never been higher. After banning Somali sheep and goats for many years, for allegedly being diseased, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has once again declared them welcome.

For the first time since the collapse of Somalia as a unitary state in 1991, Saudi and Lebanese traders have ventured into the local livestock markets. Goats are mainly exported to Mecca for the annual haj pilgrimage. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that $250m-worth of animals will leave the port of Berbera and its more ramshackle rival, Bossaso, in the seven weeks before the haj in early November.

In the livestock market in Hargeisa, capital of the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, sweaty goatherds press in on Adan Ahmed Deria, a trader. Hundreds of camels are being loaded onto lorries. Mr Deria nods to show that the price is fixed. “God willing,” he says, “I will buy 800,000 goats and sheep this year.” That is $52m of business, in cash, in a country where the economy has apparently collapsed.

Trade is set to grow further. Saudi Arabia wants to double its livestock imports from Somalia by 2013. The herders face fierce competition from Georgia, China and Paraguay, but halal butchers value the quality of Somali animals, which are raised by nomadic Muslims.

Somalis have hardly begun to tap the value of their animals. With about $50m in international help they could invest in watering stations, encourage communities to cure animal skins, make soap from bone marrow and fashion buttons from camel bone. They might also usefully improve transport by, say, building bridges over rivers prone to flooding, which would cut out rapacious middlemen. - Source (http://www.economist.com/node/21532293)

A glimpse into the future:

Somali students dream of bettering Somalia

Somali students who received scholarships to study in Turkey have expressed their dreams of returning to Somalia once they have graduated to work in various fields, primarily in health and education, and help build the country's infrastructure.

Speaking to Today's Zaman on Saturday, the students said they look forward to finishing their studies and returning to their country to work in various sectors in which there is a shortage workers. Education and health in Somalia are two fields that drastically need improving.

İbrahim Şıhmuhammed underlined that Somalia urgently needs improved education and healthcare systems, adding that most of his friends would like to become either teachers or doctors.

Ahmet Muhammed Ali and Saidi Ahmet Muhammed said they want to go into the medical profession and pointed out that many of their relatives had lost their lives either because of civil war or due to the poor health services.

“We feel at home here. Our teachers give us confidence,” said Muhammed, adding that his ambition was to become a doctor.

In addition to medicine, other students see themselves going into other professions that would also benefit Somalia. Student Abdülkerim Yalahow said he wanted to be a construction engineer and build many buildings in Somalia.

Zekeriya Ali is striving to become an electrical engineer and would like bring the Internet and other technological advances to Somalia. “I want to lighten up all the streets of Somalia. I don't want to see darkness anymore in the country. I want to illuminate its beautiful sides,” he said.

Roughly 400 Somali students have been receiving education in high schools and universities under a sponsorship program of the Turkish Ministry of Education since the beginning of the academic year. The students were selected following an exam that was taken by 10,000 students in Mogadishu last month.

‘Turkish doctors perform admirably in Somalia'

Somali Deputy Health Minister Moalim Ali Aden Adow, who was injured in bomb attack two weeks ago in Mogadishu and received medical treatment at Fatih University Hospital in Ankara, said he admired the extraordinary performance of Turkish doctors in Somalia.

Speaking during a visit to the Ankara branch of charity organization Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody there?) on Saturday, after his release from the hospital, he noted that Turkish doctors had performed admirably in Mogadishu, going above and beyond what a medical professional is expected to do. - Source (http://www.todayszaman.com/news-260067-somali-students-dream-of-bettering-somalia.html)

A glimpse into 2012:

World Wide Somali Students
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316203_234221683303343_106492496076263_684140_165274006_n.jpg


PLANTING THE SEEDS THAT WILL BEAR TOMORROW'S FRUITS

As we receive the first pictures (more details and commentary to come soon) of the WSSP conference in Somalia, the team in London is working hard to lay the groundwork for the UK Launch Conference on Saturday 19th November, inshallah.

The Agriculture Program is a cornerstone project led by brother Mohamoud: a trained Agricultural expert and a practical individual who has worked tirelessly over the past few years to give his knowledge back to his people and homeland. Read the following Spotlight Flyer to learn more about the Agriculture Program.

Over the coming few weeks, we hope to shine our Spotlight on the other two areas of Operation Restore Home 2012 (Education and Medicine/Healthcare) so that our members, supporters and followers have a better idea of the objectives. We ask all Professionals/Graduates (of all discplines) to sign up to "Worldwide Somali Professionals" on LinkedIn and take part in discussions, vote and help steer the direction of Operation Restore Home 2012. - Dr. Sharmarke Mohamed (http://www.facebook.com/WorldwideSomaliStudents?sk=wall).

32n3VS2bbgY

:applause:

I admire their enthusiasm.

They mean business, another planned conference will take place in Mogadishu, 2012. I might be there as well, if things work out for me. :cheers:

The Somaliland VP opened a new livestock center in Berbera. Not in English, sorry.


M/weyne Ku Xigeenka Oo Xadhiga Ka Jaray Maxjarkii Labaad Ee Shirkada Al-jaabiri Iyo Mashaariic Kale


Hargeysa (Somaliland.Org)- Madaxweyne ku xigeenka Somaliland, Mudane, C/raxmaan Cabdilaahi Ismaaciil (Saylici) ayaa maanta xadhiga ka jaray dhismaha maxjar labaad oo Ganacsadaha Sucuudiyaanka ah ee Saleebaan Al-jaabiri ka hirgelisay magaalada xeebta ah ee Berbera ee gobolka Saaxil.

Madaxweyne ku xigeenka oo ka hadlay furitaankii Maxjarkaasi ayaa soo dhaweeyay maalgelinta uu ganacsadahaasi ku sameeyay dalka waxaanu yidhi “Farxad ayay noo tahay in aanu furno maxjarkii labaad ee shirkadani maalgalisay oo sida noo muuqata runtii waa maxjar balaadhan markaa gacmo wada jira ayay ku gooyaan waxaanay muujinaysaa wax wada qabsiga beesha caalamka iyo dawlada Somaliland, waxaanan diyaar u nahay markasta inaan soo dhaweyno cid kasta oo wax gashanaysa dalkan iyo dadkan faa’iidana isoo kordhinaysa isaguna ka faa’iidaysanaya.”

Wasiirka xanaanada xoolaha Dr Cabdi Aw Daahir oo xafladaasi ka hadlay ayaa sheegay in bishan carafo hal dollar laga dhimi doono lacagtii xoolaha laga qaadi jiray, waxaana hadalkiisii kamid ahhaa ahaa “Horta maxjarkan waa maxjar qaranku leeyahay waxaana maamulka shirkada Sucuudi Imaaraat ee maamusha maxjarada Al Jabiri, waxaanu hal dollar ka dhinay qiimihii xoolaha dhoofka laga qaadi jiray bisha Carafo, sanadka cusubna in aanu dib u eegno oo u qiimayno in intaa laga sii badiyo.ayaan rajaynaynaa.”

Wakiilka Shirkada Sucuudi Imaaraat ee maamusha maxjarada shirkada Al-jabiri Mr. Xasan Qalaf Xasani ayaa u mahad naqay xukuumada Somaliland iskaashiga iyo wada shaqaynta ka dhaxaysa waxaanu tilmaamay inay dhiirigeliso mashaariicda ay ka fuliyaan dalka. Wakiilku waxa uu intaasi ku daray in maxjarkani uu faa’iido u yeelan doono wadanka, waxaanu xusay in maxjarkan cusub bedkiisu yahay 3km oo isku wareeg ah.

Wakiilku waxa uu sheegay in shirkadiisu ay horumarinta gobolka Saaxil ugu deeqday adduun dhan 70 kun oo Dollar.

Sidoo kale waxa uu madaxweyne ku xigeenka xadhiga ka jaray mashaariic kala duwan oo wasaaradda Duulista iyo Hawaddu ka hirgalisay madaarka Berbera iyo jid laami ah oo dhererkiisu yahay 350M, waxaana mashaariicdaasi faahfaahiyay oo ka warbixiyay wasiirka Duulista iyo hawada Md. Maxamuud Xaashi, waxana uu yidhi “Mashaariicdan waa mashaariicdii ay xukuumadani u balan qaaday bulshada Somaliland, gaar ahaan gobolkan Saaxil kuwaasi oo horumarinaya kaabayaasha dhaqaale guud ahaan mashaariicdan waa kow iyo toban mashruuc oo la xidhiidha jidadka iyo casriyaynta madaarka Berbera.”

Sidoo kale madaxweyne ku xigeenka waxa uu kormeer ku tagay dekeda caalamiga ah ee Berbera dhismayaasha cusub ee ka socda iyo qaybaha cusub ee lagu kordhiyay waxaanu halkaasi madaxweyne xigeenka warbixin ku siiyay maareeyaha dekeda Berbera Axmed Yuusuf Dirir, waxa kale oo madaxweyne ku xigeenku kormeer ku tagay garoonka kubada cagta ee magaalada Berbera oo dhismihiisu wado dawlada hoose ee Berbera. Maayarka ayaa ka warbixiyay garoonkan magaalada Berbera waxaana uu yidhi “Garoonkan waxa aanu ugu tallo-galnay mid lagu qabto xitaa ciyaaraha Afrika, waxa nashqada ku jira qaybtii VIP-da meeshii diyrayska lagu kala bedelanaaya si dadku aanay isku arag.” Madaxweyne xigeenka Somaliland iyo wefdigiisu waxa kale oo kormeeray haamaha kaydka shidaalka ee Berbera, waxaanay maantaba ku soo noqdeen Hargeysa.

Weriye Cumar Maxamed Faarax

Somaliland.Org/Hargeysa

cumarmfaarax@hotmail.com

http://www.somaliland.org/2011/10/18/mweyne-ku-xigeenka-oo-xadhiga-ka-jaray-maxjarkii-labaad-ee-shirkada-al-jaabiri-iyo-mashaariic-kale/

http://www.togaherer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/madaxweyne-kuxigeenka-mixed.jpg

More news from Somaliland.


Country’s First International Business Fair to Take Place 17th-21st December 2011


HARGEISA (SomalilandPress)—According to the organizers of Somaliland Business Fair, the country’s first business fair will take place on December 17 to 21st of 2011 in the capital of Somaliland Hargeisa. Mr. Ali Mohamed Yusuf who is the managing director of this business expo said more than forty companies from 10 countries will be part taking Somaliland International Business Fair.

Mr. Ali Mohamed went on to say thus far they have confirmation that businesses based in Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, South Somalia, UAE, China and Turkey will be showcasing their products and services to the people of Somaliland. The purpose of this international business fair is to give these businesses an unexploited market in Somaliland and grow revenue by their presence here. Also this opportunity will show the world the role that Somaliland can play in the East African Market which is currently an emerging market.

Somalilandpress | Oct 19, 2011

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-country%E2%80%99s-first-international-business-fair-to-take-place-17th-21st-december-2011-24175

Nicely done Xusien!!!!!!!!!

The Somaliland VP opened a new livestock center in Berbera. Not in English, sorry.

Exports to Saudi Arabia alone are set to hit a million heads of Livestock by 2013, I predict a few more opening across Woqooyi and Bari. :cheers:

Definitely. If all goes to plan, commerce through both Berbera and Bosaso ports is set to grow a lot in the next 2 years and money will be coming in the other way...it is looking good indeed. :cool:

wonderful news to hear :cheers:

BCIMR Opens First Commercial Bank In Somaliland
http://www.cowslafil.com/images/bcimr2.jpg

Hargeysa, Somaliland, February 07, 2009 (SL Times) - The Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie - Mer Rouge (BCI-MR), the partly-owned subsidiary of French bank BNP Paribas, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday in Hargeysa to officially open the first commercial bank ever in Somaliland. It is the first bank to open in Somaliland and is expected to boost Somaliland banking services and connect the unrecognized republic to the global market. It will also create new jobs for the locals.

The bank will issue a letter of Credit (LC) to it’s clients that can be used for international trade for both import and export transactions. Participants in the ceremony included Mr. Thierry Choinier – First Secretary of France’s Embassy to Djibouti, business executives, traders, traditional elderly, Parliamentarians, Central Bank officials, varies organizations from NGO’s and special guests.

BNCI-MR (Djibouti) Managing Director Mr Ould Amar Yahya said the Bank’s program of branch openings was a solid indication of its confidence in the region and today is the most respected bank in the Horn of Africa.

“BNCI-MR opened the first branch in Djibouti 1954 and has since opened over 71 branches world wide - today it’s the most respected bank in the Horn of Africa and has contributed greatly to the development of the Horn of Africa,” he said.

Somaliland Finance Minister, Hussein Ali Duale (Awil) - who was also present described the event as a milestone for his administration who he said took a lot of efforts to make this possible and for Somaliland as a nation.

“The world economy heavy relies on financial institutions that lets them borrow capital and issue them LC without them all businesses are crippled,” he said while addressing the guests. He added that anyone who wants to open a bank in Somaliland is welcome as long as they will meet the country’s standards and terms.

The Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie Mer Rouge (BCIMR) is a subsidiary of the French group Bred Banque Populaire, which is present in 71 countries, with well known names such as NATIXIS, COFACE, Banque Populaire, etc. The BCIMR is the largest bank in the Horn of Africa, representing between 65% and 70% of deposits and 45-50% of the credits distributed. From its base in Djibouti, the BCIMR has played a significant part in over fifty year’s of economic development of the region; including Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, and Eritrea.

Subsequent to the new merger of Banque Populaire/Caisses d’Epargne, the group has now emerged as the leading French bank in terms of asset management, with over 500 billion Euros managed around the world, 40 billion Euros of stockholders’ equity, 8200 branches and over 100000 employees.

The BCIMR, supported by its intra-group synergies, offers a diverse and complete range of services in three fields:

- Retail Banking, from current account services to the most complex financial engineering services in the areas of corporate financing and asset management,
- Financing and Investment Banking, to meet the development requirements of major economic players,
- Trade Services, for all operations involving documentary credit, international guarantees and stand-by letters of credit.

The BCIMR is connected to all of the principal financial markets around the world for its investment needs and its financing operations in international trade. It is the ideal partner for investors in the Horn of Africa. With subsidiaries of its international banking group, the BCIMR participates in sophisticated corporate finance and estate management solutions to finance large scale-projects.

The BCIMR has begun to make inroads for its long term strategy for diversification of its commercial operations and its adaptation to the regional economic environment. Based on acceptable conditions of risk and profitability, the BCIMR continues to offer its clients even more innovative products and services. This diversification of its products and services is a decisive factor in reducing the volatility of the profit margin.

Its objective is to maintain a positive margin between the growth rate of its net banking income — which concerns its interest margin and commissions — and that of its management expenses. This enables it to pursue a policy of reducing its working coefficient or indicator of operational efficiency, without any reduction in the cost necessary for revenue growth. - Source (http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2009/367/3.shtml)

Old news, but never posted here. More and more international banks are opening in Hargeisa.

I would have prefered a local bank to be the first commercial bank but this is still welcome news.

Glad to hear that the BCIMR opened up a branch in Somaliland...:cheers: It's one of the 2 oldest banks in Djibouti...

Interesting article, highlighted earlier by Xusein in the politics topic:


Turkish ministry to train Somalis to fish, raise grain

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Ninety male and female Somalis will come to Turkey to be trained on how to raise livestock, use tractors and other agricultural equipment, manage complexes, slaughter animals and fish as part of efforts of the Turkish Agriculture Ministry for its “Somali Action Plan.”

The plan was recently approved by the Agriculture Ministry, which will train Somali farmers selected by the Somali authorities how to raise livestock and use agricultural equipment. All the expenses of the participants will be covered by the Turkish ministry, which collected nearly $350 million in aid through various donations. Paid expenses include accommodation, transportation, training and food.

After receiving training for three weeks in Turkey, the Somali farmers will be given some plots of land by the Somali authorities to grow their own crops and raise their own animals. Farming equipment worth nearly 4.3 million Turkish Liras has been donated to the Somali Action Plan.

Turkey will also supply various seeds, tractors, irrigation systems and other equipment for the Somali farmers. The ministry plans to send nearly 100 tons of corn, rice and other vegetable seeds to the famine-stricken country.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Meat and Fish Institute (EBK) plans to slaughter 3,000 cattle during the Kurban bayram holiday Nov. 6 to 9 and ship the red meat to Somalia. Turkey’s Grain Board (TMO) will also send nearly 35,000 tons of flour to the country. In total, Turkey will ship nearly 20 fishing boats, five excavators, 20 tractors, 20 heavy plows, 20 cultivator machines and 50 computers and printers to Somalia.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his family visited Somalia’s war-torn capital Mogadishu on Aug. 19 to highlight the need for greater famine relief. It was the first visit by a leader from outside Africa in almost 20 years.

“No word is sufficient to describe the agony there,” Erdoğan said while addressing the 66th session of the General Assembly of United Nations last month.

He said Turkey’s approach to Somalia was grounded firmly in humanitarian principles. “Along with emergency humanitarian aid, Turkey is also determined to help build the infrastructure facilities that will enable this country to stand on its feet.”

Sunday, October 23, 2011 (http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-ministry-to-train-somalis-to-fish-raise-grain-2011-10-23)

Interesting updates, keep up the good work.

http://www.axadle.com/images/stories/demo/world/Somalia/hosbitalturki.jpg

Turkey plans to build the largest children’s hospital in East Africa in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The children’s hospital will be funded and constructed by the Yardım Eli aid association and will contain 100 beds. The complex in which the hospital will be located will also include an education center, a mosque and a guesthouse. - Source (http://www.todayszaman.com/news-261952-turkeys-ambassador-pledges-to-fight-for-security-in-somalia.html)

Cant wait for construction to start! When it happens, a development thread in the projects forum should be created.

I've gone ahead and made one now, we should update as construction starts and progresses. :cheers:

Turkish ministry to set up second hospital in Somalia

The Turkish Ministry of Health will set up a second field hospital in Somalia within the scope of Turkey’s assistance to the famine-stricken country.

The second hospital will be resistant to severe climate conditions and be set up near the former parliamentary building which now houses shelters. The Ministry of Health’s Somalia team’s head Dr. Akif Saatçio?lu said Nov. 5 the second hospital would be larger than the first one that the ministry previously set up in the region.

Saatçio?lu said the second hospital would be located in one of the best places of the capital Mogadishu and would be close both to shelters and the city center. The hospital will be open to patients soon, he added. With two field hospitals and one mobile hospital, Turkey will be able to help people in a very large part of the capital.

Somalia is facing one of the worst droughts of the past 60 years. The epicenter of the drought lies on the three-way border shared by Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, a nomadic region where families heavily depend on the health of their livestock. Uganda and Djibouti have also been hit by the disaster. Tens of thousands of people have so far been displaced due to the humanitarian situation in the region.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to Mogadishu Cemalettin Kani Torun has wished peace and development for Somalia during the Eid al-Adha religious holiday. Torun said yesterday activities of Turkish aid associations became more intensive following the August visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Mogadishu.

Torun said aid associations had collected donations for Somalians for the religious holiday, and the meat of sacrificed livestock was being delivered in Mogadishu and southern parts of the country. The Turkish Embassy to Mogadishu was opened Nov. 1.

source (http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=118392)

Not sure which hospital it's about, but I'm admiring the Turkish role in Somalia so far...

The above is probably related to:

Newly-found Somali company to bring peace to country

Five Somali companies signed an agreement here on Sunday to establish a joint company providing much-needed electricity and gas infrastructure to the under- developed country.

The agreement was signed at the sideline of the round table meeting after the closing of the United Nations' Somalia Conference in Istanbul.
Sharif Ahmed Said, director of the Somalia Business Council, said: "this project will give Somali people the peace dividend that has eluded them for so long."

The Trans-National Industrial Electricity and Gas Company will start with an investment of 1 billion US dollars from the partners and other investors. The five companies, which asked to remain unnamed for the moment, will provide the initial 300 million dollars down payment. The five companies are all local, not international.

The remaining funding will be provided by individual, not institutional, investors and by the manufacturers themselves, Abdullahi Hussein, spokesman for one of the companies told Xinhua.

The company aims to implement the Somalia Peace Dividend Project, a labor intensive electricity and gas infrastructure program to provide these services for the new industrialization of Somalia, and will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, expected to start in the next 6 months, will train and use the skills of young people to provide electricity to exclusive economic zones and communities.

A written press release said the workers will be able to improve their livelihood as they receive training to construct, install and manage the infrastructure, which will help "reduce poverty, find alternatives to looting, piracy and unnecessary violence and stabilize the country and bring lasting security and prosperity to Somalis."

The second phase where factories will be established in specially designated economic zones for the local transformation or for fisheries, livestock, agriculture and mining industries, is expected to go live in 12-18 months, which Hussein admitted as " optimistic."

Overall, the project aims to provide training and employment opportunities for an initial 100,000 jobs throughout Somalia and Somaliland. Hussein said security was not a concern for the project, adding that "tribal democracy means we leave control and management to the locals, they are part of the company."

Source (http://world.globaltimes.cn/africa/2010-05/534697.html)

This really is interesting. Any news on the project?

I'm also interested in knowing what came about that.

Green Valley Dairy Farm Darsalaam Somaliland

4FFah5A4KaM

^^nice. Businesses in Somaliland seem to be thriving :cheers:


looks like there is going to be a new terminal at Mogadishu airport:


Turkish deputy PM arrives Somali capital,meets with TFG officials

MOGADISHU (Sh. M. Network) – High level delegation from Turkey heading by the deputy Turkish Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag has on Saturday arrived in the lawless capital, Mogadishu for talks with senior officials in the war and famine stricken Horn of Africa nation.

The delegation from Turkey was cordially welcomed at the Adden Adde international airport in Mogadishu by the prime minister of Somalia Transitional federal government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and members his cabinet ministers.

[...]

The Turkish deputy prime minister laid the foundation for a new terminal at Mogadishu's international airport to be funded by Turkey, which also pledged to build schools, hospitals and roads in Mogadishu.

Bozdag inaugurated The Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, the first since the collapse of the country's central government in 1991. Several other countries mostly in Africa have reopened their embassies in the capital city which is witnessing an improvement in its security.

[..]

Source (http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=12918)




would be nice to see some renders if there are any..anybody have any more info on this one?

I have heard that there are big plans for renovation on top of that news of a new terminal but I have not seen any renders as of yet.

More news from Somaliland.


Somaliland Plans Law Allowing Foreign Banks to Set Up Operations

By Mark Anderson

Nov. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Somaliland, a breakaway state in northern Somalia, will pass a banking law early in 2012 establishing a central bank and enabling foreign lenders to begin operations, the speaker of parliament said.

The Central Bank of Somaliland Act, which replaces the 1997 Central Banking Rules and Regulations Act, was presented to lawmakers today in Hargeisa, the capital, where some objections were raised, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi said in an interview today in the city.

“There are few MPs that object to the Act and those who do are only concerned with individual articles,” Abdillahi said. “We are confident that the Act will be passed early next year.”


http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-25/somaliland-plans-law-allowing-foreign-banks-to-set-up-operations.html


Somaliland Expects Agreement With Ophir Energy ‘Within Weeks’


Somaliland, the semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia, expects to conclude a project- sharing agreement with Ophir Energy Plc, amid efforts to develop the territory’s potential oil deposits, an official said.

The accord is currently being approved by Somaliland’s Council of Ministers and will be followed by the granting of approval to begin seismic surveys, Mining, Energy and Water Resources Minister Hussein Abdi Dualeh said in an interview.

“The process should be finalised within a few weeks,” Dualeh said by phone from Hargeisa, the capital, today.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-25/somaliland-expects-agreement-with-ophir-energy-within-weeks-.html

Should be noted that Somaliland is pretty much doing the opposite of Puntland when it comes to energy deals, it is not trying to get the likes of Conoco to come back for the deals they made during Siad Barre's days, it instead is starting anew with an "open door" policy. I found that interesting.

Somaliland is reforming well!Good news indeed!

Somalis have hardly begun to tap the value of their animals. With about $50m in international help they could invest in watering stations, encourage communities to cure animal skins, make soap from bone marrow and fashion buttons from camel bone. They might also usefully improve transport by, say, building bridges over rivers prone to flooding, which would cut out rapacious middlemen

The potential is there indeed. The Somali companies should really tap into this, this industry looks promising for Somalia. Unlike us in Djibouti where the government controls almost everything, the private sector in Somalia is healthy, they should make full use of resources like livestock

Green Valley Dairy Farm Darsalaam Somaliland

4FFah5A4KaM

Am I the only one who's annoyed by the commentator? I hate when ads are done like this one. For god sake, wax kasta gabay lagama dhigo. Argh, reer Somalia! :bash:

Ras, the 1 billion dollar investment by Somali companies in the energy sector most likely is being post-poned, until they are certain that their investment is safe. The situation is still to fluid.

I have found no update unfortunately.

^^nice. Businesses in Somaliland seem to be thriving :cheers:

looks like there is going to be a new terminal at Mogadishu airport:

Turkish deputy PM arrives Somali capital,meets with TFG officials

would be nice to see some renders if there are any..anybody have any more info on this one?

Would be nice if someone could snatch the booklet with renders of this project and others from the Deputy PM's hands. :lol:

http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_3566.jpg

Am I the only one who's annoyed by the commentator? I hate when ads are done like this one. For god sake, wax kasta gabay lagama dhigo. Argh, reer Somalia! :bash:

It's better than this one. :laugh:

I4ou5BwzL4g

Would be nice if someone could snatch the booklet with renders of this project and others from the Deputy PM's hands. :lol:

http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_3566.jpg

LOL! I wonder what this building is supposed to be? This guy is teasing us! :lol:

Hopefully the renders come out quickly, such an important project cant stay shrouded in secrecy for long!

It's better than this one. :laugh:

I4ou5BwzL4g

Ka ba daran!!! :lol:

Update on the trade fair. :cheers:


AOA Events announce the first international trade fair in Somaliland


http://somaliland247.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/acarsomi1.jpg?w=528&h=179

AOA Event Organizers held a press conference earlier today to announce the first international Somaliland Business Fair, which will be held at Mansoor Hotel Hargiesa, Somaliland from 17th Dec to 21st Dec 2011, is the first and largest international trade event in Somaliland.

This exhibition is a showcase for manufacturer, distributors, and suppliers around Horn of Africa, representing all key sectors within Somaliland Business Fair (SBF) to expand their client base and venture into emerging markets.

SBF will serve as an ideal platform for more than 160 companies from over 20 countries to showcase 160exhibitors, attracting 10,000 trade visitors for the event. This event will be organized by AOA Event Organizers, one of the leading event organizers in the Horn of Africa.

“Somaliland Business Fair (SBF) – Is the first and only International event in Somaliland to gather all stakeholders of international SBF market under one Roof. It is therefore a global stage, where different associated business players can demonstrate their capabilities, services, products, and scientific outputs, and make them available for businesses. They can also establish new deals and business relations” said Mr. Ali Mohamed Yousuf, CEO of AOA Event Organizers.

Due to the importance and valuable impact this event will have for the country, the Somaliland Government is supporting it wholly. “I would like to urge and invite the economic sector and businessmen to participate in this international fair to reflect the real economic position of the Republic of Somaliland internationally and to keep in touch with the world through this participation which will be so effective in introducing our country to the world”, said Mr. Ali Mohamed Yousuf in his opening speech at the press conference earlier today. The press conference was also attended by Amal Ismail and Saeed Jama from AOA, the company organizing the event.

SBF Offers a unique strategic platform for buyers and sellers to conduct direct business face to face avoiding intermediaries to reach the regions market.

Somaliland has emerged as a major regional trade centre. This is mainly due to a very friendly and business like atmosphere it offers to foreign investors and products. Duties are considerably low and re-exports to neighbouring countries are either very low or exempted.

For more information please visit.www.aoaevent.com

http://somaliland247.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/aoa-events-announce-the-first-international-trade-fair-in-somaliland/

_1ARC7b7hF0&context

Sawiiro (pics).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6525020567_3881120b09.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6524953439_d80aef705e.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6524992807_803ea8d8bd.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6524954353_4c094940af.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6524955227_4876304da1.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6524952909_5529f28df8.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6524991271_874a0cde90.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6524994171_694cb27d9e.jpg

More pics and the article (in Somali) provided by this link: --> http://www.somalilandinfo.com/home2/2011/12/17/madaxweyne-ku-xigeenka-somaliland-oo-xadhiga-ka-jaray-carwaddii-ugu-weynayd-ee-abidd-laga-furro-dalka-sawiro/

Dollar Store showcase at the expo. :cheers:


Carwada Dharka Ee Dollar Store Oo Wacdaro Ka Muujisay Carwada Ganacsiga Somaliland Iyo Qiimo-Dhimista Sixirka Lebiska Oo Soo Jiitay Bulshada Reer Haregysa

Hargeysa(SNN)Carwada Dharka ee Dollar Store ayaa Carwada Ganacsiga Somaliland ku soo bandhigtay Carwo Cusub oo loogu sameeyay bulshada reer Somaliland qiimo dhimis aad u jaban oo dhinaca lebiska dharka ragga, haweenka iyo caruurtaba leh.

Carwada Ganacsiga Somaliland oo la daahfuray daraad ayaa waxaa si weyn uga soo qayb galay badiba mudanta bulshada hadii ay noqon lahayd masuuliyiinta dawlada, madaxda shirkadaha ganacsiga, dhalinyarada haweenka iyo qaybaha bulshada, ,kuwaasoo ay kusoo hirtay fursada qiimo dhimista sixirka dharka iyo kabaha ee Carwada Dharka ee Dollar Store.

Hadaba, maamulka Carwada Dharka ee Dollar Store ayaa Salalnews.com, U sheegay inay qiimo-dhimistani tahay inta u dhaxaysa 70-50%, isla-markaana ay bulshada u keeneen maryo cusub iyada oo ay ku jiraan kuwii ay hore Dukaanku u iibin jiray.


Link ---> Here (http://oodweynenews.com/news/129615-carwada-dharka-ee-dollar-store-oo-wacdaro-ka-muujisay-carwada-ganacsiga-somaliland-iyo-qiimo-dhimista-sixirka-lebiska-oo-soo-jiitay-bulshada-reer-haregysa.html)

http://salalnews.com/images/news/dolee1.JPG

http://salalnews.com/images/news/dolee2.JPG

http://oodweynenews.com/v1/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PICT0894-600x450.jpg

http://oodweynenews.com/v1/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PICT0895-600x450.jpg

http://oodweynenews.com/v1/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/carwo1-600x450.jpg

Aden Adde International airport[named after the first Somali president] Mogadishu, Somalia

http://thedromomaniac.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mogadishuairport.jpg
http://r7.cbf01t02.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/60725637.jpg?redirect_counter=2&st=ts&ir=1
source: panoramio

Plane landing at Aden Adde international airport.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubmceNjovug

Great pics and welcome to the forum!

Vq9naer_qwQ&feature=related

_zIuPK4hn14&feature=player_embedded#!

F77Gh8Zzkz4&feature=related

great videos. At last Aden adde airport is seeing some actions. After the completion of the new projects, this airport will handle world class air planes such as Turkey airlines and emirate as well hopefully the come back of Somali airlines.

great videos. At last Aden adde airport is seeing some actions. After the completion of the new projects, this airport will handle world class air planes such as Turkey airlines and emirate as well hopefully the come back of Somali airlines.

I will post more videos as soon as I find them.

k8IK8S9vh1o&feature=related

So did Turkish Airlines start flying out of Xamar or is that a test flight?

So did Turkish Airlines start flying out of Xamar or is that a test flight?

They are doing testing for now, xusein.

Regular flights start early or mid january 2012, insha Allah.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z464/guulet/somalihavaalan.jpg

Sagaal Injineer oo ka socda waaxda garoomada diyaaradaha dowladda Turkiga (DHMI) ayaa waxaa ay howlo casriyeyn ah ka wadaan garoonka diyaaradaha magaalada Muqdisho ee Aadan Cadde.

Injineeradan ayaa waxaa ay garoonka ku xireen qalab casri ah oo lagu hago diyaaradaha iyo nalal dhulka ku dhaggan.

Waxaa ay sidoo kale dowladda Turkigu ka wadaan garoonka dhisme tawer cusub ah iyo dhismayaal kale.

Howshan garoonka ka socota ayaa kusoo beegmeysa xilli dowladda Turkiga horay uga dhawaajisay in ay sameyneyso duulimaadyo toos ah oo Turkiga iyo Muqdisho ah.

XIGASHO: http://www.aa.com.tr/en/component/content/article/111

SomalilandPress
Sunday, December 18, 2011


The Turkish Airlines this week said it will add flights to and from the Somali capital at the beginning of January in 2012 as it tries to draw more African passengers.
Turkish Airlines (THY) CEO Temel Kotil told Anatolia news agency that THY will fly to Mogadishu twice-daily. The announcement follows as the government of Turkey deployed engineers to renovate and modernize the airport in Mogadishu.

The Turkish government announced dozens of development projects for Somalia including hospitals, schools, scholarships, roads and other key infrastructures. Ankara says its vision for Somalia is more than just the infrastructure.

The Somali public has hailed the Turkish initiatives and expressed their gratitude to the Turkish government and people for their generous support. Somalis are excited about the THY’s expansion plans. Since the visit by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Mogadishu in August to rise awareness about the Somali crisis–the Somali people no longer feel forgotten. Somalis are optimistic and feel a wind of change is on its way. Turkey might rescue Somalia from itself. The Turkish nation has promised to leave no stone unturned until Somalia achieved a lasting peace.

The national flag carrier airline of Turkey is yet to reveal the flight routes and dates when it will begin direct flights to Mogadishu. With the new connection offering direct flights to Somalia which was no-go-zone for the last two decades, the new THY connection will be ideal to many Somalis in the Diaspora. THY plans to carry 38 million passengers in 2012 and generate $7.8 billion in revenues.

Niiice. No more creaky Tupolevs. Go Turkey!

Niiice. No more creaky Tupolevs. Go Turkey!

Would be nice if Turkey helps upgrade Hargeysa and Bosaso airports aswell, but it all depends on the weak TFG asking for it.

Great pics and welcome to the forum!
Thank you. I love to hear all kinds of progress in all Somali inhabited lands.

The Turkish airline will surely benefit from the large Somali diaspora trying to go back home.

Mogadishu traffic system to be revived


Lawlessness spread in Somalia in 1991 after the Horn of Africa nation plunged into anarchy with an absence of a centralized system of governance.

All sectors of the Somali economy also suffered a deadly blow in the endless fighting that has plagued Somalia leaving all the administrative organs paralyzed.

The Somali transport industry has been the most affected after all the roads were barricaded as warring sides exchanged fire leaving the roads impassable.

But now the Somali Transitional Federal Government claims control of a better portion of Mogadishu following the exit of al-Shabaab from their bases in the capital Mogadishu in early August. The Somali population now needs to be re-educated on the traffic rules after the Somali Police brought back the traffic system to the Somali roads after nearly two decades.

Mogadishu traffic police chief said the initiative comes after the security situation of the capital improved and brought the need of a normalized traffic system in Mogadishu.

Traffic signs will also be erected on roads linking major by passes despite majority of the roads in Mogadishu being in a dilapidated state following the endless Mogadishu civil war.

The Mogadishu Traffic chief Ali Hirsi told Press TV that the traffic system will streamline in a matter of days and called on road users to heed the traffic signs that will be erected soon.

The traffic chief also called on the Somali youth who were born during the civil war to learn the traffic rules soon.

For the Somali people it will take time before they get familiar with the traffic system that were absent on the Somali roads for many years.



There is a video in the link: http://presstv.com/detail/216687.html

XT0KlLP3XKg&feature=related

http://www.digilnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bangiga-dhexe.jpg
Central bank of Somalia, Mogadishu

http://somaliselfhelpgroup.org/wp-content/gallery/construction-during-civil-war/bakaaraha.jpg
Busy Bakara Market, Mogadishu

Once they start getting real stability and peace, they seriously need to put those ugly powerlines underground.

True. I think most if not all electricity in Somali cities are provided by private companies with no regulations.

Once they start getting real stability and peace, they seriously need to put those ugly powerlines underground.

Last on the priority list...^^

After stability and peace is achieved, infrastructural improvements and regulations is a high priority. You can't develop a city with such a haphazard electrical grid.

"Turkey’s ambassador pledges to fight for security in Somalia
Torun, calling Turkey’s efforts in Somalia twofold, said Turkey will also work to bring together the various conflicting parties of the war-torn region. “Our mission will also be a diplomatic one. We will do our best in peaceful diplomatic activities toward facilitating understanding and putting the guns down in the region because, unfortunately, investment cannot be made where there is no security. The silencing of weapons is necessary for security.”
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=BF0FC4E7ECBFAEEDA8393750564441BE?newsId=261952

New Coca Cola factory in Hargeisa (larger than I initially thought):

oAUczFShgbw

I thought they already had one. :dunno:

Its the same one, but they released a video of production.

Ah, okay. I see...great stuff!

Somal Fruit Company and process-facility to be re-established and restored:
http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Somali-Fruit1-515x303.jpg
Wasiirka beeraha xannaannada xoolaha, dhirta iyo daaqa ayaa maanta kormeeeray xarunti hore ee Soomaali Furuud oo aheyd halkii laga dhoofin jiray Mooska ayaa sheegay in ay dib u howlgalin doonaan xaruntaasi si adeegyadii xarunta loo helo.

Mudane C/llaahi Xaaji Xasan wasiirka wasaaradda beeraha xannaanada xoolaha dhirta iyo daaqa oo maanta Kormeer ku tagay xarunti hore ee Soomaali furuud ayaa waxa uu ku soo wareegay dhamaan qeybaha ay ka koobantahay xaruntaasi.

Wasiirka ayaa tilmaamay in ujeedada kormeerkiisa ay tahay u kuurgelidda xaaladda xaruntaasi si dib loogu howlgeliyo howlihii dhoofinta Mooska.

Sidoo kale wasiirka ayaa hoosta ka xariiqay in xaruntani ay halbowle u tahay Mashruuca dhoofinta Mooska iyo Khudaarta oo ay dalal badan sheer ku lahaayeen sida dalka Taliyaaniga, isagoo sheegay in dib u dayactir lagu sameeyay, isla markaana ay ka maqan yihiin qalabkii ay ku howl gali lahayd.

Booqashada wasiirka ayaa imaaneysa xilli ay dowladda Soomaaliya dadaal ugu jirto sidii ay u howlgalin laheyd dhammaan xarumihii qaban jiray adeegyada kala duwan ee bulshada. -- Source (http://radiomuqdisho.net/wasiirka-beeraha-oo-kormeeray-xaruntii-somaali-fruit-ee-muqdisho/)

http://www.daruur.com/main/uploads/extgallery/public-photo/medium/Somali-fruit_1_d7090.jpg

Somalia’s main agricultural areas are located along its Shabelle and Juba rivers, providing year round quality irrigation water from the Ethiopian highlands to the fertile riverine soils. Here, the Somali banana industry flourished as the largest exporter in East Africa with 12,000 ha under cultivation and employing 120,000 people. - Source[/b] (][b)

The power of the private sector as an engine for development should not be underestimated. After war started in Somalia in the early 90's, there was a sudden growth in the private sector, it has ever since been the engine of growth for economic growth in Somalia.

Since the war, entire new markets have sprung up and the economy is unrecognisable. A booming contruction sector; an ever expanding and modern tellecomunications sector; manufacturing plants producing things that range from tinned tuna, mineral water, furniture to soaps; a large free and multi-dimential media network including several t.v stations; a dynamic hospitality industry. All in all, the economy of the country has been tranformed and moved away from being purely the traditional primary sector-based economy.

It is even better that this economic growth is being experienced evenly all over the country and that when the southern parts of the country that are still in war achieve peace, the affect will be multiplied. There are now sub-'economies' and engines of growth within the different regions, that have the propensity to grow independetly of the other whilst mentaining links.

Cities in the peaceful north half of the country have grown immensely due to urbanisation and this has transformed the economics and demograpics of the country. The country now has two large cities, Mogadishu and Hargeisa, of ~1m and 1.5-2m population respectively. The country also has 7 medium-to-large sized cities of ~200-500k in population.

Despite the negative image that the war attached to Somalia, this has actually been beneficial for the country's economy (imo). It means that some investors stay away and this allows for home-grown companies and industries, resulting in currency being retained within the country rather than money outflows to [foreign] investors. It has also meant that balances growth could be realised in the various sectors of the economy. As a result there are now large Somali companies that operate on a national level and will soon be expanding internationally. Some companies have started expanding internationally, hawalas being the obvious one as they try to move away from Somalia being their single market to tap into other countries' potential. Other comapnies, mainly manufacturing, have started small-scale exporting of goods such as tinned tuna.

What I would like to see over the next decade is a greater focus on value adding to the primary sector, import substitution where possible, increasing manufacturing output, labour intensive industries, growing the services sector and the strenghtening/internationalisation of local brands.

Lastly, as the generation of children born in the late 80's and early 90's reach adulthood and enter professional careers in the diaspora, they will have an immense impact back home. We already see dispora returning to invest and set up business and manufacturing plants.

The future looks very bright I have to say. I can only see these nascent industries and markets grow from strenght to strenght. Organic growth is sometimes the best way!

MOGADISHU, Somalia—Banks barely existed in this war-torn African nation a decade ago. Now, Somali residents can bank over their mobile phones.

The rapid evolution of technology in Somalia—and people's access to it—comes as several telecommunications companies here jockey for customers amid the absence of any government-regulated phone or Internet access. The competition to supply phone service has stoked the nascent revival of Somalia's shattered economy, and it shows that some complex businesses can thrive even in one of Africa's least developed markets.

Backed by expertise from China, Korea and Europe—and funded from their own pockets—Somali telecom entrepreneurs are providing inexpensive mobile-phone services. Users can conduct money transfers via mobile phones and gain Internet access, both wireless functions that aren't widely available in many other parts of Africa.

The success of Somalia's telecom sector isn't all that unusual for a war-shattered economy, experts say. In countries with shaky economic foundations, such as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, telecommunications companies have stepped in to provide missing infrastructure.

In these environments, "the first ones who put in electricity generators in rural areas are the telecom operators," says Svet Tintchev, a World Bank expert on the telecom industry in developing countries. "In a way, their leverage goes beyond pure telecom service."

In Somalia, the telecom companies haven't competed only for customers. They have also cooperated with each other to maintain their networks and set prices to ensure that competition doesn't become too cutthroat.

One of the largest, Hormuud Telecom Inc., has sales of about $40 million a year, substantial in a country where an estimated 70% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. Hormuud declined to disclose its profit.

Hormuud's chief executive, Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf, started his business selling bread, spaghetti, sweets and other groceries. He later opened a popular supermarket.

But like his competitors, Mr. Yusuf saw huge gaps in the telecom sector. "Everyone wants to get in touch with his brother or sister, whether inside or outside the country, to hear the latest news" amid rising violence, says the 50-year-old CEO.

In 2002, he pooled money with friends and launched Hormuud, a cellphone and land-line telecommunications company. It would later expand to include a bank and a mobile money-transfer service, which Somalis now use to avoid being robbed in this cash-based economy.

The World Bank's Mr. Tintchev says the sector has become among the country's biggest revenue generators, and the service it provides has helped revive the economy. "They became the economic enablers in Somalia," he says.

Four main telecommunications companies now operate in the country.

The first private telecommunications company to open in Somalia was Telecom Somalia in 1994, a Hormuud rival that offers a range of wireless services. NationLnk Telecom also offers land-line and mobile services, but it hasn't expanded into more advanced services, such as Internet access. Despite their rivalry, the three companies signed an interconnectivity deal in 2005 that allows them to set prices and expand their network access. The cheapest mobile-phone service provider, called Somafone Telecommunications Service Co., is a tiny upstart that operates outside the alliance.

...

The investment in telecom businesses is one of the clearest signs that Somalia's economy has continued to grow amid the ruins of war. Few reliable figures exist for the overall economy. The new Somali government, installed last year, has begun to try to tax the lucrative telecom businesses. Government officials grumble that some companies aren't contributing their share, but Mr. Yusuf says that businessmen like him will pay whoever happens to be in power.

Source: WSJ

The most unlikely places throw up the most unlikely tales. Though Somalia has had no government for over a decade – or rather, because of this – international call rates are the lowest in Africa, most of the country has telephone coverage, and you can get an Internet account in a day.


According to the CIA World Factbook, the small industrial sector has been looted for scrap metal – among the country’s chief exports – and there is no formal banking sector. Yet despite this seeming anarchy, Somalia’s service sector has managed to survive and grow.

“Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent,” it states.

Accurate statistics are hard to come by in a situation as fluid and chaotic as Somalia.

Writing in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) magazine, Choices, reporter Finbarr O’Reilly quotes Abdi Karim Mohamed Eid, manager of private telecommunications company Telesom, as saying, “If you add up the other companies, there may be around 20 000 Internet subscribers in [the northern region of] Somaliland. That’s much more than we anticipated initially and it’s a remarkable achievement given that there is no backing from the international community. This is solely done by the Somali business community. We are really proud of that.”

According to O’Reilly, 87% of the country now has telephone service, and some operators claim to be able to install fixed lines withing two days of applying, and establish Internet accounts within 24 hours. His figures of 105 000 fixed and 39 000 mobile lines back up the CIA’s numbers. An older report from the Somali Telecom Association (STA) state that 47 out of 74 towns have telephone service. And international call rates are as low as $1 per minute.

“It was clear supply and demand,” says Brown. “There was a need, and it got supplied. The service is reliable, because operators know if there is no service, there is no money. And you can get service within days of applying.”




Absent rules, luxuriant growth
Somalia’s telecom sector: a case study in anarchocapitalism
By Ivo Vegter

Bahrain Contributes to Second Development Project in Somalia, Eases Needs of Famine Victims
By Kingdom of Bahrain
Published: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 - 8:26 am

MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Bahrain signed a $1.5 million deal to provide a teachers' institute for Somalia, marking Bahrain's second major contribution toward improving conditions in the country. Last November, Bahrain donated funding for the Bahrain Specialist Hospital in Mogadishu to help restore eyesight to 1,000 Somalis and also extended 200 tons of emergency relief aid to the country. Yesterday, in cooperation with Islamic Relief Worldwide, the Bahrain Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) agreed to a new development project—this time in the education field. Somali Education Minister Edid Ibrahim thanked Bahrain for its generosity and noted that Bahrain has long been a leader in relief efforts worldwide. At the signing, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the RCO Board of Trustees, reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to supporting Somalia through humanitarian initiatives and to helping improve standards of living at home and abroad.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/31/4227932/bahrain-contributes-to-second.html#storylink=cpy

Iran is planning to build an embassy in Somalia.


Iran to open four new embassies in Africa

The Iranian government, currently facing fierce diplomatic hostility from western nations including sanctions, is set to open more embassies in the Horn of Africa region.

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi who attended the Africa Union's summit in Addis Ababa, his government will open four new embassies on the continent.

The new embassies will be in war-torn Somalia, Djibouti which hosts US and French military bases, and in Africa's newest state, South Sudan.

http://www.africareview.com/News/-/979180/1317204/-/gnv98pz/-/

Here is a pic of the Dilla-Boorama road project :)


http://lughaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/asarda-booramajidka-laamiga-ah-oo-daamurkii-la-dhigay-salaasa-67-15.jpg

The building of the new Baidoa Mosque. Any updates on that ?

http://somalitalk.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/masjid.png

Coca Cola Factory, Mogadishu to be re-opened soon:

http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8397.jpg
http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8408.jpg
http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8416.jpg
http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_8419.jpg

^^ That's amazing news, it seems like Mogadishu is getting back on it's feet slowly but surely.

You got these factories here and there, the telecom industry, what's Somalia's source of electricity?

^^ That's amazing news, it seems like Mogadishu is getting back on it's feet slowly but surely.

You got these factories here and there, the telecom industry, what's Somalia's source of electricity?

Private generators, set up by entrepreneurs. With stability the national grid system will be restored, and improved upon.

Private generators, set up by entrepreneurs. With stability the national grid system will be restored, and improved upon.
Yet they manage to keep the telecom rates low, that's pretty incredible.

AiPKth54_v8

Here is a pic of the Dilla-Boorama road project :)


http://lughaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/asarda-booramajidka-laamiga-ah-oo-daamurkii-la-dhigay-salaasa-67-15.jpg
Nice to see such project, this touches me personally. :banana:

D3L_WRTg13A

Meanwhile, in Galkacyo.

oa0xsqgMVhw

Somalia to establish 100 schools in the capital

Mogadishu (RBC) Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has announced the government's plan to establish 100 schools in the capital Mogadishu.

President Ahmed said the move was aimed at ensuring more Somali children and adults accessed quality education.

The Transitional Federal Government President made the announcement on Monday while receiving the keys to a commercial centre building known as Bacadlaha Xamarweyne in Central Mogadishu.

Bacadlaha was one of hundreds of buildings that belonged to the Somali Government that collapsed in 1991, and had since been taken over by private citizens.

“There are 90 schools in Mogadishu that can be rehabilitated for the education of children and adults,” stated the President.

Several countries and institutions have expressed willingness to offer development assistance to Somalia, especially after the militants of Al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group, were largely driven out of Mogadishu.

Since November 2011, for instance, governmental and non-governmental organisations from Turkey have been establishing medical clinics, orphanages and schools providing services free of charge.

“I urge all private people to vacate the public building for the government to provide services,” stated President Ahmed.

On Sunday, the squatters occupying Guriga Hoyooyinka (Women’s House), a landmark building in Central Mogadishu, surrendered it to the government.

The government instructed in late January all individuals and groups occupying public places to vacate them.

A special force was assembled to force out anybody resisting the order to vacate the public properties. - source (http://www.raxanreeb.com/2012/02/somalia-to-establish-100-schools-in-the-capital/)

:cheers:

Puntland Plans to Expand Bosaso Port

Puntland Government plans to enlarge Bosaso port which is a key source of government revenue through taxation on imports and exports at the busiest, if not biggest port in Somalia after the Mogadishu Port.

Puntland plans on adding a new port for use by small fishing boats and other travel boats. The planned location for fishing boats at Bosaso Port will be the NEC FISH area within the port, according to Puntland Officials including Puntland’s Minister of Ports and Anti-Piracy, Siad Mohamed Raage and the Governor of Bosaso town, Abdisamad Galan.

On October 20, 2011 during the Combating Piracy Week Conference in London, UK, President Abdirahman Faroole stated in his speech, "....We have Bosaso port which is Puntland‘s economic lifeline, we do not have airports to collect taxes from and depend largely on that single port."

The chairman of Bari region also confirmed to Somalia Report of the ongoing plans for an additional, mini-port for exclusive use by fishing and travel boats. He added that Puntland’s Ministry of Sea Ports and Anti-Piracy is implementing the project.

http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/2750/Puntland_Plans_to_Expand_Bosaso_Port

PetroTrans negotiates to extend Somaliland port


Feb 13 (Reuters) - PetroTrans, a Chinese oil and gas producer could conclude preliminary negotiations with Somaliland for the extension of the key port of Berbera by the end of this year, but has scrapped plans to build a liquefied natural gas facility.

Philip Hirschler, a legal adviser for PetroTrans, said from London the firm planned to extend Berbera port's container and mineral export services following an agreement it signed with the government of the breakaway enclave of Somalia last August.

The Horn of Africa has been attracting increased investments in exploration by foreign oil firms, due to its proximity to east Africa, where oil has been discovered in Uganda and natural gas found in Tanzania.

The Hong Kong based company had planned to build gas pipelines from the field and at least two trains and LNG tankers for possible export of the product.

"Some of the project that was initially proposed such as the LNG facility, could not go into Berbera because it would be impossible to get any insurance on the facility," Hirschler said.

"We're still talking about (developing) a container port, a dry cargo port, and a mineral export port, once there's sufficient minerals development in Ethiopia or further west."

Ali Omer Mohamed, General Manager of Berbera port, told Reuters he expected the completion of preliminary negotiations with PetroTrans on Berbera's extension by the end of this year.

"I expect studies, contracts and agreements to be finished this year," Mohamed said.

PetroTrans signed four petroleum exploration and production sharing agreements with the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines in July 2011, paying $130 million for the rights to explore Blocks 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 20 in the Calub and Hilala Gas fields in the country's eastern Ogaden region.

Somaliland is an internationally unrecognised state that declared independence from Somalia in 1991, and hopes the deal will create thousands of jobs, raise its profile and attract more investments into the region.

Hirschler said PetroTrans had approached neighbouring Djibouti on whether it could build an LNG facility there, but discussions were still in an early stage. Djibouti serves as a port for its landlocked neighbour Ethiopia.

Hirschler said PetroTrans was also negotiating with South Sudan's government to build an oil pipeline from South Sudan oilfields to the Port of Djibouti.

South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan last year, said on Thursday it was considering building an oil pipeline through Ethiopia and Djibouti. South Sudan produces about 350,000 barrels of oil per day and exports via Sudan to a Red Sea port.

source (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/13/somaliland-port-idUSL5E8DD4VG20120213)

That project will take several years to be realized at best, let alone if any kind of blueprints takes place.

That project will take several years to be realized at best, let alone if any kind of blueprints takes place.

We keep hearing projects in puntland and Somaliland, but those companies aren't doing anything so far, just talk.

The problem is that exploration is usually left to smaller firms with less resources compared to the larger corporations which are still reluctant to invest because of politics. But the fact that foreign companies are beginning to look at it seriously is a good thing.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC to establish an office

HARGEISA — GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company held a press conference at Mansoor hotel in Hargeisa on Sunday February 12, 2012 to inform the Somaliland market that their company will begin importing to Somaliland all their pharmaceutical products. Galaxo SmithKline Plc. or GSK as it is known was formed back in 2000 after GlaxoWellcome merged with SmithKline which saw the creation of the third pharmaceutical company in the world. The multinational company has offices in more than one hundred countries around the world. Glaxo SmithKline’s Djibouti representative Mr. Said Omar who is the owner of DANKALE Pharmaceutical will be country manager. Dr. Farah Liban Ahmed who is one of the top pharmaceutical product importers to the country will be the sole distributor of all Glaxo SmithKline products from asthma, cancer, virus control, diabetes and many more products.

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-glaxo-smithkline-plc-to-establish-an-office-26593

^^
This is a great news.:cheers:

www.worldbulletin.net
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
http://www.luftfahrt.net/galerie/photos/2002/7/1035497202_TC-JDM_Airbus-A340-311_Turkish-Airlines.jpg

A statement by Turkish Airlines (THY) said on Wednesday that the airlines would launch flights to Somali capital of Mogadishu as of March 6.

Turkish national flag carrier will fly to Somalia.

A statement by Turkish Airlines (THY) said on Wednesday that the airlines would launch flights to Somali capital of Mogadishu as of March 6.

The flights will take place from Istanbul Ataturk Airport on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from Mogadishu to Istanbul on Wednesdays and Fridays, the statement said.

THY is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, headquartered in Istanbul. It operates scheduled services to 150 international and 41 domestic cities (38 domestic airports), serving a total of 187 airports, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
source:http://hiiraan.com/news4/2012/Feb/22729/turkish_airlines_will_fly_twice_weekly_to_somalia.aspx

Great news. I hope success for THY.

Rania Mohamed Ali becomes passport holder 001 this week. A small ceremony was held at the Somali embassy in Nairobi. Good to see young people active in their country's affairs, even if unable to do so at home.



http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia6.JPG
http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia4.JPG
http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia.JPG

Janub for some reason I thought you would have made a topic about other recent news... i.e. somalis in south africa

Why post something from 2006/2007?: Somalia leads in Africa with ePassport rollout (http://www.securitydocumentworld.com/public/news_all.cfm?&m1=c_10&m2=c_6&m3=e_0&m4=e_0&subItemID=917)

- In any case this is a good measure against counterfeits.

If it's an e-passport, why does she seem to have a physical passport in her hand?

Rania Mohamed Ali becomes passport holder 001 this week. A small ceremony was held at the Somali embassy in Nairobi. Good to see young people active in their country's affairs, even if unable to do so at home.



http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia6.JPG
http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia4.JPG
http://www.somaliweyn.com/bilder/frist_basaborsomalia.JPG

This week? this news and pictures was in early of 2007

^^ :lol: Throwback.

Some interesting quotes from a BBC article:

I recently visited one of these ports, Berbera, in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, where port manager Ali Xoorxoor told me: "I expect livestock exports from the port to increase dramatically from three million head of livestock in 2011 to 4.5 million in 2012.

--

One trader told me exports from the northern ports alone is worth more than $2bn (£1.3bn) a year; this does not appear to be an exaggeration, when one considers that just one sheep is worth at least $30 and a camel several hundred. - BBC - Somalia: Far from a failed state? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17080664)

Xusein, do you now understand why I said the IMF, World Banc and the CIA World Factbook haven't got the slighest clue about the real scale and size of the Somali Economy with their ancient data? The exports from the northern ports alone equal our neighbour; Ethiopia's total export volume.

For some reason, I think it could be even higher than that!

February 22, 2012 | Filed under: WARAR (http://booramaonline.com/?cat=31) | Posted by: admin (http://booramaonline.com/?author=1)
http://booramaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/unlogo_blue_sml_en.jpg (http://booramaonline.com/?attachment_id=2857)21 February 2012

Security Council
SC/10549
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York SECURITY COUNCIL AL-QAIDA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE DELETES


ONE INDIVIDUAL AND 17 ENTITIES FROM ITS LIST


Decision Taken Following Review of De-listing
Request Submitted Through Office of the Ombudsperson
On 17 February 2012, the Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee decided to remove the names of the one individual and seventeen entities below from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List after concluding its consideration of a de-listing request submitted through the Ombudsperson established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and after considering the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this de-listing request.
Therefore, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution1989 (2011) no longer apply to the names set out below.
The individual Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’ale remains subject to the travel ban, assets freeze and targeted arms embargo imposed by paragraphs 1, 3 and 7 of resolution 1844 (2008) concerning Somaliaadopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. (See Press Release SC/10545 (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sc10545.doc.htm))
Removed from Section A. Individuals associated with Al-Qaida on the Al-Qaida Sanctions List; and Included in the Consolidated List of the Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee
QI.J.41.01. Name: 1: ALI 2: AHMED 3: NUR 4: JIM’ALE
Name (original script): ??? ???? ??? ?????
Title: Sheikh Designation: na DOB: 1954 POB: Somalia Good quality a.k.a.: a) Ahmed Ali Jimale b) Ahmad Nur Ali Jim’ale c) Ahmed Nur aJumale d) Ahmed Ali Jumali e) Ahmed Ali Jumale f)Sheikh Ahmed Jimale g) Ahmad Ali Jimale h) Shaykh Ahmed Nur Jimale Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Somali Passport no.: Somali Democratic Republic passport number A0181988, issued 1 Oct. 2001 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and renewed 24 Jan. 2008 in Djibouti, expires 23 Jan. 2011 National identification no.: na Address: Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti (since May 2007) Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 26 Nov. 2004, 21 Dec. 2007, 23 Mar. 2009, 16 May 2011) Other information: Associated with Al-Itihaad Al-Islamiya (AIAI) (QE.A.2.01.). Profession: Accountant and businessman. Father’s name is Ali Jumale, mother’s name is Enab Raghe. Founder of the Barakaat network of companies including the Barakaat Group of Companies (QE.B.37.01.). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 7 Jul. 2010.
Removed from Section B. Entities and other groups and undertakings associated with Al-Qaida
QE.A.23.01. Name: AL BARAKA EXCHANGE L.L.C.
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) P.O. BOX 3313 Deira Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) P.O. Box 20066, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 23 Mar. 2009) Other information: Reported to be owned or controlled by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’Ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.43.01. Name: BARAKAAT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO. SOMALIA, LTD.
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 23 Mar. 2009) Other information: Reported to be owned or controlled by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’Ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.45.01. Name: BARAKAAT BANK OF SOMALIA
A.k.a.: a) Barakaat Bank of Somalia Ltd. b) Baraka Bank of Somalia c) Barakat Banks and Remittances F.k.a.: na Address: a) Bakaara Market, Mogadishu, Somalia b) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 26 Nov. 2004, 23 Mar. 2009) Other information: Reported to be owned or controlled by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’Ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.56.01. Name: BARAKO TRADING COMPANY, LLC
A.k.a.: Baraka Trading Company F.k.a.: na Address: P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 23 Mar. 2009) Other information: Until 23 Mar. 2009 this entity was also listed as Baraka Trading Company (QE.B.54.01). Reported to be owned or controlled by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’Ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.24.01. Name: AL-BARAKAAT
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) Mogadishu, Somalia b) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.25.01. Name: AL-BARAKAAT BANK
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Part of the Al-Barakaat network of companies founded by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.27.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT BANK OF SOMALIA (BSS)
A.k.a.: Barakat Bank Of Somalia F.k.a.: na Address: a) Mogadishu, Somalia b) Bossaso, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Part of the Al-Barakaat network of companies founded by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.28.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT FINANCE GROUP
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.29.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT FINANCIAL HOLDING CO.
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.30.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A.k.a.: a) Barakaat Globetelcompany b) Al Barakat Telecommunications Ltd. F.k.a.: na Address: a) P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) Mogadishu, Somalia c) Hargeysa, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 26 Nov. 2004) Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.31.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT GROUP OF COMPANIES SOMALIA LIMITED
A.k.a.: Al-Barakat Financial Company F.k.a.: na Address: a) P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 25 Jul. 2006) Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.32.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT INTERNATIONAL
A.k.a.: Baraco Co. F.k.a.: na Address: Box 2923, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 25 Jul. 2006) Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.A.33.01. Name: AL-BARAKAT INVESTMENTS
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: P.O. Box 3313, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.37.01. Name: BARAKAAT GROUP OF COMPANIES
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) P.O. Box 3313, Dubai, United Arab Emirates b) Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.42.01. Name: BARAKAAT RED SEA TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) Bossaso, Somalia b) Nakhiil, Somalia c) Huruuse, Somalia d) Raxmo, Somalia e) Ticis, Somalia f) Kowthar, Somalia g) Noobir, Somalia h) Bubaarag, Somalia i) Gufure, Somalia j) Xuuxuule, Somalia k) Ala Aamin, Somalia l) Guureeye, Somalia m) Najax, Somalia n) Carafaat, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Part of the Al-Barakaat network of companies founded by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’ale (QI.J.41.01). Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.50.01. Name: BARAKAT INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES (BICO)
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: a) Mogadishu, Somalia b) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 Other information: Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
QE.B.53.01. Name: BARAKAT TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
A.k.a.: BTELCO F.k.a.: na Address: Bakara Market, Dar Salaam Building, Mogadishu, Somalia Listed on: 9 Nov. 2001 (amended on 21 Oct. 2010, 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Part of the Al-Barakaat network of companies founded by Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’ale (QI.J.41.01). Office closed and defunct in the Netherlands as at Aug. 2009. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 22 Jun. 2010.
The names of individuals and entities removed from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List pursuant to a decision by the Committee may be found in the “Press Releases” section on the Committee’s website. Other information about de-listing may be found on the Committee’s website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml (http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml)
The Al-Qaida Sanctions List is updated regularly on the basis of relevant information provided by Member States and international and regional organizations. This is part of the second update of the List in 2012. An updated List is accessible on the Committee’s website at the following URL: http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml (http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml).


http://booramaonline.com/?p=2856

This is a very good news. Al-barakat was one of the biggest companies if not the biggest and the largest employer in Somalia as a whole. We will see how fast this giant company gets back to business again.

http://somaliswiss.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/axmed-nuur-jicmaale.jpg?w=300&h=225
Sheikh Ahmed Nur Jimale
The founder Sheikh Axmed Nuur Jimcaale is still listed as a major financier of terrorist groups but the company he founded is off the list. I wonder how this will benefit the company he founded.

It's been a decade since it was frozen, good for the company but I doubt that it will regain the dominance it once had, there are now several actors in the industry. Long overdue move though.

True. A lot has changed. But I'm sure if they have the fund and a good plan they can accomplish a lot. Remember they were pioneers in the banking and the telecommunications field way before the current big players in Somalia.

Somaliland: Toyota Marill to establish an Office

Somaliland: Toyota Marill to establish an Office
http://imageurl.org/di-WDMN.jpg


HARGEISA-Somaliland Vice President receives at his office representatives from International TOYOTA MARILL Company who paid working visit to the country. The delegation compromising of five members headed by company’s Managing Director Mr. Lucmarill and was accompanied by the special representative to Djibouti, Somalia and Somaliland and other senior officials from the company. According to a press release issued from the presidential palace stated that the two sides discussed and agreed to have Toyota Marill Company to establish an office in Somaliland. Somaliland Vice President informed the delegates that his government is ready to welcome anyone interested in investing Somaliland.

On the other hand, Company’s Managing Director to Djibouti who spoke at the meeting thanked to the country’s vice president for receiving them cordially at his office and spell out their company’s efforts in creating an office in Somaliland which is peaceful, stable and made progress on key areas of trade, democracy which attracted the company and made TOYOTA MARILL as the number one when it comes to international companies based in the country. Somaliland vice president was accompanied by advisor to his office Mr. Osman Said Jama and vice president’s special secretary Mr. Ali Hussein Nour. The Managing Director Mr. Lucmarill was accompanied by Denis Bouzin, Kateryn Bourgine, Osman Abdi Osman, Company’s representative to Somaliland and Mr. Said Jama Ali.

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-toyota-marill-to-establish-an-office-26718

^Good stuff.

Somaliland: open for business


The self-declared independent state in the north-west corner of conflict-ridden Somalia has been an oasis of calm, and it is now seeking foreign investment

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/columnists/2012/3/1/1330606351068/MDG--Hargeisa--capital-of-006.jpg
Amid the war-ravaged landscape of Somalia, the self-declared independent state of Somaliland has carved out a reputation for relative calm.

Last week's London conference on Somalia made a nod to Somaliland, formerly a British protectorate, and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. Without naming them, the final communique "welcomed the success in some areas of Somalia in establishing local areas of stability, and agreed to increase support to build legitimate and peaceful authorities, and improve services to people living in these areas".

Neither region was named because of Somalia's political sensitivities. Somaliland has not been recognised internationally since it broke away in 1991 after the fall of Siad Barre, the Somali dictator, and Somalis strongly reject the idea of Somaliland's independence. It was a diplomatic breakthrough in itself to have Ahmed Mahamound Silanyo, the Somaliland president, present at last week's meeting.

As the London communique indicated, Britain plans to concentrate its aid effort on Somaliland. The Department for International Development (DfID) plans to spend an average of £63m annually on Somalia until 2015, devoting more than 40% of its aid on this north-west corner, home to 3.5 million people.

Somaliland will need the money. Its 2012-16 national development plan (pdf) published in December set out a capital investment proposal of $1.19bn. The government is expected to provide $74m, the private sector $132m, the diaspora $4m, but the overwhelming amount is expected to come from aid donors – $979m, 82% of the total investment plan.

"Given the meagre resources available to the government from its budget and the absence of credit facilities, the bulk of the investment required for the national development plan is expected to come from external sources," says a summary of the plan. The areas for investment are the economy, infrastructure, governance, social and the environment. Most of the investment for infrastructure is set to repair and upgrade Somaliland's dilapidated road network.

Somaliland's minister of planning, Dr Saad Shire, provided an overview of Somaliland's economic objectives before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in the UK parliament on Wednesday at a session chaired by Alun Michael from the all-party parliamentary group for Somaliland. The message was that Somaliland was open for business.

Shire trumpeted Somaliland as ideally located for access to east African markets, particularly Ethiopia, markets in the Middle East and even Asia – and what must be one of the world's most favourable regimes for foreign investors.

Foreign direct investors will pay no tax for three years. After that they will have to pay only 10% on profits, which can be freely repatriated. There will be full compensation for any expropriations, which would be done only in the "public interest". There will also be no minimum wage. Shire listed a number of foreign investors already doing business in Somaliland, including Coca-Cola, Western Union and Nubian Gold.

In an idea that went down well with his audience, Shire said Somaliland suggested the Somali diaspora make a $1 voluntary contribution to the state when they send remittances, which would come to between $300m and $400m a year. Several people in the audience said they would be willing to contribute much more than $1, while Quman Jibril Akli, from Somaliland Focus UK, went so far as to say the $1 contribution should be made compulsory.

Others cautioned against relying too much on the diaspora, as future generations may not feel the same emotional tug. "Our grandchildren may not have the same commitment, we're just a stopgap," said one Somalilander.

As for aid, Somaliland's lack of international recognition – despite being independent to all extents and purposes for the last two decades – means most aid goes through UN agencies rather than directly to the government. The clearly frustrated Shire complained that the aid usually ends up "in the wrong place [at] the wrong time", despite consultations.

He also voiced a complaint that will sound familiar to relief agencies: aid does not arrive until starving people are shown on TV screens.

"Last year we appealed for development money to dig 10 to 12 huge reservoirs, each costing about $400,000, which would have taken care of the drought, or at least provided some water," he said. "But the international community was not willing to spend the money. It was really a mistake, that's what's wrong with aid."

To have more control over when and how to spend money, Somaliland is in the process of setting up a trust fund. The plan is to have it up and running by September, with the UK and Denmark providing an initial amount of $20m in the hope that others will follow.

"We only see 20p out of every £1 of aid," Shire said. "Donations go through long channels; it's like passing ice cream round, by the time it gets to the recipient it will have melted. What we get isn't that much. We hope the $979m will go into the right sectors."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/mar/01/somaliland-open-for-business?CMP=twt_fd

What do you guys think of the current PM and his plan to restart the government from Aug?

The term of his transitional government ends August. I hope to see a smooth transition to a real government Insha'Allah. 20+ years of war and destruction is enough.

http://media.worldbulletin.net/250x190/2011/07/06/bekir.jpg
Deputy PM to travel to Mogadishu in first Turkish Airlines flight Bozdag will inaugurate various facilities while in Mogadishu. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag will travel to Mogadishu on Monday in the first flight of the Turkish Airlines (THY) to this Somali city. Bozdag will attend the ceremony to mark THY's first flight to Mogadishu at 23.30 hours on Monday at the Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. Bozdag will inaugurate various facilities while in Mogadishu.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=86717

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/06/turkish-airlines-flights-somalia-mogadishu?newsfeed=true
Article history
Turkey's deputy prime minister, Bekir Bozdag, right, with Somalia's president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, after the maiden flight from Istanbul to Mogadishu. Photograph: Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images
The first major commercial airline flight into Somalia's volatile capital in more than 20 years has touched down safely.

Turkish Airlines' maiden flight to Mogadishu was the first from outside east Africa since the country descended into anarchy and war. It was the latest sign of confidence in growing stability in the Somali capital – and of Turkey's emergence as an influential geopolitical player.

Bekir Bozdag, the Turkish deputy prime minister, was among a high-profile delegation on board the flight from Istanbul's Atatürk airport. He was welcomed by Somalia's president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, as well as the acting prime minister, parliamentary speaker and other members of the cabinet.

Bozdag said: "After 20 years of a lack of international flights to Europe, Asia and America, the Turkish government has facilitated for the Somalis to travel by Turkish Airlines to the world again."

UN ambassadors and officials were also present. A group of women danced and sang as the aircraft landed at an airport that for many years was controlled by rival militia groups.

Turkey's national carrier intends to operate a twice-weekly passenger service from Istanbul and hopes it will prove popular with Somali exiles around the world.

Cemalettin Kani Torun, the Turkish ambassador to Somalia, told the Africa Review website that Turkish Airlines flew to 146 destinations around the world, adding: "Such a huge network will facilitate diaspora Somalis flying home."

A number of private airlines, including Kenya-based African Express, fly into Somalia from neighbouring countries but Turkish Airlines is the first from outside the region.

Security in Mogadishu was stepped up ahead of the flight, with main roads leading to the airport blocked off. Heavily armed police could be seen manning checkpoints.

The flight follows a visit to Mogadishu last year by the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said he wanted to challenge the idea that the Somali capital was a no-go area. Erdogan, the first leader from outside Africa to visit for nearly two decades, said he would set up an embassy in Somalia and promised major infrastructure projects in Mogadishu.

Turkey has been quicker than other countries to make its presence felt in reconstruction efforts since the militant Islamist group al-Shabaab was driven out of Mogadishu by African Union soldiers. Some 200 Turkish nationals are now living and working in the city on construction, logistics, aid and other projects, while over the past year Turkey has reportedly sent $365m in cash and in-kind aid to Somalia. In December, Turkish officials announced a plan to modernise Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle international airport.

Istanbul will host a follow-up to the recent London conference on Somalia in June.

The engagement reflects Turkey's efforts to boost its profile in Africa, as it has in the Middle East in recent years, and to promote itself as a model Muslim democracy. It has increased trade and opened several new African embassies, mainly in Islamic states.

Somalia has been engulfed in chaos and conflict for more than 20 years. The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates that fighting, famine and disease have killed up to a million people since the last government collapsed in 1991. But al-Shabaab is under attack on several fronts, with troops from Kenya and Ethiopia also gaining territory recently.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/06/turkish-airlines-flights-somalia-mogadishu?newsfeed=true

Turkey is planning to invest in Puntland and Somaliland.

http://zainurrashid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/somalia-turkey.jpg

The Turkish minister also announced that Turkey would be extending its assistance beyond Mogadishu by unveiling a plan to establish regional development offices both in the breakaway enclave of Somaliland and its neighbor, the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, in the north. “We have one development office in the Somali capital. Now we will set up two development offices, one in Somaliland and the other in Puntland,” he said, also confirming that Turkey is providing humanitarian assistance to the people in the south, where al-Shabaab is very strong.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-273612-turkey-spares-no-effort-for-reconciliation-in-somalia-deputy-prime-minister-says.html

Somali Business Community Says Commerce Can Drive Political Reconciliation

Leading figures from the Somali business community have called for aid organisations to invest in business and infrastructure to combat problems gripping Somali territories.

This week Somali business officials, NGO representatives and experts on the region gathered in the House of Commons to discuss their role in fostering development within the Somali region. In response to the recent London conference on Somalia, the eleventh-hour assembly entitled Somalia: Business as usual? - hosted by the Royal African Society and introduced by Rt. Hon. Alun Michael MP - offered an alternative debate focusing on how Somalia's booming business, trade and investment activities can be used to help the region stage its own recovery from the many political problems that have plagued it for over twenty years.

Speaking at the assembly, Abdirashid Duale, the CEO of Somalia's largest private employer, Dahabshiil, said: "Somalia's future lies in its economy. The lifeblood of every Somali is trade, so the most important thing for the region is for enterprise to flourish. Despite the recent milestone conference on Somalia, the greatest challenges remain ahead.

"The international community should recognise what is working within the Somali community and harness that. Business growth can serve as a catalyst for political development and vice versa. Despite problems of security and instability, Somalis have already demonstrated through the successes of key sectors such as livestock, money transfer and, more recently, telecoms that Somali territories are fertile grounds for trade and commerce."

:cheers:

Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203051712.html

Wow, mashallah, the future of Somalia keeps getting brighter every day. :)

Editorial, — March 8, 2012 22:03 — 1 Comment

Tiny Somali Town Gives Up Foreign Aid

Until now, the tiny desert town of Armo in Somalia’s northern Bari province was little more than a truck stop between the major regional hubs of Qardho and Bosaso. And the only thing keeping the town relevant was the Armo Military and Police Academy that served both regional and national security training purposes.

The town, which lies a mere 28km from the Dharoor valley basin, is now experiencing the first benefits of oil exploration in Somalia. It can be said in Bari today that you can experience the benefits of oil there without so much as even sniffing the substance. Roads are being improved, and some even built from scratch to serve the growing demand of emerging investors. Hotels are popping up left and right across the town’s main highway to serve contractors. And real estate is booming for families looking to settle permanently in the area.

The biggest benefit has been to the value of the local currency. The Somali shilling went from exchanging at rates of 32,000 to the dollar to now 23,000 to the dollar–among the strongest rates ever experienced by the Somali shilling. This is entirely due to the influx of foreign contractors creating a demand for local goods and raising the value of items.

Locals are rightfully optimistic about exploration and expressed a desire to see Somalia, or at least their hometown, get out of poverty. This surge of optimism and confidence has led to less reliance on foreign aid, and outright rejection of it in favor of propping up local enterprise and natural growth.

Regional leaders have strongly reiterated that the prospective wealth of Puntland is not going to stay in one pocket of the country, but that it will work to lift the entire nation out of poverty on equal terms. It is a sentiment that the ordinary people of Armo and Puntland in general share.

Hirsi Fiqi, Editor

DissidentNation.com
http://dissidentnation.com/tiny-somali-town-gives-up-foreign-aid/

Wow, that was fast.

I will dicuss here the industries with high potential in Somalia and how I think this is to be achieved. (will expand on others later)

Somalia has a number of industries that have high potential. The four main requirements to achieving the potential of these industries IMO are (a) a proactive, development oriented government that is good at planning (b) investment into these industries and the availability of funds, (c) ensuring that the neccessary skills are there and lastly (d) the importance of value-adding and marketing. Personally I am a strong advocate of a mixed-market economy with a strong and dominant private sector,with the government in a role of information provision, support/guidance, relevant regulation and strategic planning.

All Somalia needs is complete, true and lasting peace and the posibilities are endless - a peaceful Somalia, given the free-market economy and strong private sector, with hopefully future strong planning and government support, would be no doubt be an interesting economy to watch in coming decades. Somalia has a small population, a lot of natural resources, a huge and geogrphically spread diaspora, strong trading links with the ME and EA countries, is geograpically extremely favourably placed for trade, is virtually economically vigin ground and a whole lot more.

Next I will detail the potential industries as per my opnion.

The industries would be as following and I believe that these industries should be the backbone and central to the economic development of the country:

Primary Sector of the Economy

- Agriculture

Somalia has large arable land that is currently grossely under-utilised. There is the scope not only to increase the area under cultivation, but to also introduce modern farming technologies and methods. Most Somalis are traditionally pastoralists and such this means that even relative to other countries in Africa, the agriculture is grossly uderdeveloped. This sector alone has the potential to bring in hundreds of millions in hard currency, create thousands of jobs and galvernise the rural economies. In the past Somalia used to be a net exporter of agricultural produce as well as cultivating cash-crops. Of-course this industry should be a matter of priority to ensure that (unnessary) famine is never again experienced in Somalia.

There should be three stages to developing this sector and this "5-step" strategy imo is relevent to most countries. These three steps should be:

1. Information provision and strategically oriented 'support' to interested and potential investors, create an atmosphere conductive to [draw in] investment and trade.

2. Increase the area under cultivation whilst introducing modern farming technologies and methods, education, support and information provision for those involved in the industry.

3. Strategic selection of (non-staple) crops to be farmed with revenue-potential, processing/value addition and demand v.s. supply in mind.

4. Value adding to the raw produce, wherever possible. This will maximise revenue from these industries and keep as many jobs as possible within the country. Turn this raw produce into products.

5. Supporting the given produce/products with marketing, branding, market targeting and adaptation where possible.

- Livestock

The livestock industry has featured heavily in the Somali economy for a long time now and it certainly has more potential still. I believe the time is right and ripe to expand and modernise this industry. Currently this industry is worth billions of dollars per year - in it is still at the most basic of stages. Growth in this sector has previously been acheieved through increasing the scope and quantity of operations rather than anything else. I believe that now this industry has reached the stage for value adding, modernisation and vertical integration of the various processes. A movement towaqrs modernisation, of sorts, has already begun to take place and hoprefully this will pick up in pace and scale over the next few years.

The strategy for this sector should be as follows:

1. Identifying the potential products rather than focusing on the raw products. These potential products include directly deriven products but also by-products (for domestic and export markets) and supporting functions.

2. The creating of vertinary schools; vetinary treating facilities; animal registration, certification, checking and immunisation.

3. Meat processing and value adding-centres, capabilities and infrastructures.

4. By products such as hides and skins, leather products; freezing facilities, milk processing and storage, cheesing produce, yogurt ice-cream etc.

5. Marketing, market identification etc.


- Fisheries

- Mineral resources (raw potential)

- Energy (traditional & green) (raw potential)

Secondary

- Processing/Manufacturing (raw potential)

- Logistics, transhipping hub (raw potential)

Tertiary

- Business supporting services

- Tellecommunications & ICT

- Retail and consumer goods

- Financial services

Somaliland Beverages Industry, Largest in East Africa

http://hadhwanaag.org/images/700_sbi_logo.jpg

http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_qq.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_666.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_TTTT.jpg
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_yyyyy.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_ccccccccc.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.JPG
http://i.imgur.com/JRLVN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/B1QZs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/piaiF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NXHJL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cf0uM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UZ16n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/21Lk5.jpg

^Sweet, though I doubt it's the largest beverage plant in the region, nice images nonetheless.

What kind of sodas do they produce? :)

eServGlobal Wins Project With ASGSM.MOBI to Bring Mobile Money to Somalia

Niiice. You should repost this in the African ICT thread, sxb.

Here is another pic of the factory compound

http://i.imgur.com/GcsUv.jpg

Red Sea Petroleum Becomes The Latest Firm To Place Bid For Berbera Fuel Storage Facility
http://i44.tinypic.com/34owz89.jpg
Haamaha, Berbera


BERBERA — Red Sea Petroleum Company Ltd. (“Red Sea”) is the latest company to place its bid with the national tender board in order to secure the rights to manage the Berbera petroleum storage facility after the Minister of Commerce Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed gave permission for private investors to place their bid to run the fuel depot.

Mr. Abdirahman Abshir Abdillahi a top executive with Red Sea Petroleum speaking to the media cut side the National tender board offices said his company is placing its bid in an effort to secure the rights to run the Berbera storage facility after fulfilling the guidelines and recommendation set by the government and he hoped his company is in a strong position of securing the rights.

The Red Sea C.E.O went on to say since Total’s license was revoked his company has played a vital role in fill the void left by Total. President of Somaliland H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Silanyo) revoked the Total Oil’s license to run the Berbera oil storage facility in 22nd May 2011, appointing several ministers in his cabinet to run and manage the day to day operations the fuel depot until a suitable company is rewarded the rights.

Last month the Minister of Commerce, Industries and Tourism Hon Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed announced that after considering recommendation by the committee tasked to run the facility which recommend. It was in the interest of the facility to be in the hands of the private sector hence the granting of permission for private investors to place their bids. To this date only three local companies have placed the bids with the national tender board.

1) Red Sea Petroleum Company
2) Hass Petroleum Company
3) Jet Oil Company

TOTAL Oil has for the past eleven years had the monopoly to run the Berbera fuel depot to the discontent of many local businessmen. - Source (http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-red-sea-petroleum-becomes-the-latest-firm-to-place-bid-for-berbera-fuel-storage-facility-27002)

^Sweet, though I doubt it's the largest beverage plant in the region, nice images nonetheless.

I agree with you on first part, but nevertheless, its by far the best investment in that region.

Great project for our brothers in the north.:cheers:

TOTAL were ripping the people off so it's good to see them off.

Berbera has a huge storage facility and a modern port, the mayor would make a killing if he got ahead of the game and proposed a pipeline to Bari instead of waiting on China/Ethiopia.

Politics is a big barrier to that, unfortunately. Bosaso will win on that 100%, it's not even a contest.

http://www.hiiraan.com/images/2012/Mar/ibrahim_Gure_Matthias1.jpg

They also had discussions on the past relationship between Lufthansa and Somali Airline, based on friendship and collaboration and the importance of reviving that relationship by training Somali airline pilots. Mr. Nur and Mr. Gure also requested from the school to train potential pilots who will become part of the rebuilding of the Somali airlines, Mr. Kippenberg welcomed their request and stated that he will do everything in his power to make sure their request is realized and to revive past relationship between Lufthansa and Somali airline as that will be beneficial to both airlines.

The Somali Airlines was founded on 5 March 1964 few years after independence and was one of the fastest growing airline in East Africa before it ceased operation in 1991 after the collapse of the military regime of Siad Barre. Now that the Turkey airline started weekly flights to Somalia, there is an urgency need to revive the Somali aviation in general to offer flight route services to Somalia.

http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2012/Apr/23447/reviving_the_aviation_industry_in_somalia.aspx

Thanks to China, a new development aid paradigm is taking root in African countries.
African governments no longer have to grin and bear the heavy-handed, top-down, paternalistic and patronising approach of traditional Western donors.

The new aid model, which is increasingly being adopted by other emerging economies, emphasises mutual trade benefits and infrastructure development, both of which have been credited with significantly improving African economies in recent years.

This model is in sharp contrast to that of traditional donors, which have been focusing more on humanitarian aid and governance issues and less on trade and infrastructure development.

The traditional donors’ approach is now increasingly being viewed as one that creates dependency and one that has little or no impact on economic development.

Though traditional Western donors are quick to point out that China’s record of human rights does not make it a trustworthy development partner, African governments have responded enthusiastically to Chinese aid, particularly infrastructure development.

It is no secret that lack of infrastructure is hindering Africa’s growth and that Chinese investment in that area is what is propelling the continent’s economies forward.

African governments have realised that poverty cannot be alleviated in an environment where there are no roads to allow farmers to take their produce to markets.
Share This Story
Share

This is especially so where a large proportion of people remains poor due to lack of access to education and economic opportunities afforded by improved technical capacity and infrastructure.

Fortunately, many emerging economies are realising their foreign policy towards Africa should be based on the Chinese, rather than the Western, model.

Turkey is among those countries that have adopted an Africa policy that emulates China’s, and nowhere is this more evident than in Somalia.

I recently spoke to Dr C. Kani Torun, the Turkish ambassador to Somalia, who told me that his government is focused on improving the country’s infrastructure because “without it, there can be no development in the country”.

Turkey was the first country in 20 years to open an embassy in Mogadishu last year, following a much-publicised visit by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in August last year.

Mr Turun says that the Prime Minister’s visit was an “ice-breaker that showed the world that Mogadishu is no longer a No-Go area”.

Last month, Turkish Airlines became the first long-distance international commercial airliner in two decades to land at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdullahi Adde airport; it now offers two flights a week from Mogadishu to Istanbul.
Turkey’s investment in infrastructure is already evident in Mogadishu. Here it has rebuilt one hospital and is in the process of rebuilding two others.

It is also renovating and rehabilitating the airport, repairing the National Assembly building and is building a conference hall that will accommodate 1,500 people.

Sceptics claim that the Turkish presence in Somalia is not entirely based on altruistic ideals, and that Turkey hopes to gain from the vast resources that Somalia is rumoured to have.

Mr Turun admits that Turkey’s ambitions are not just to give aid to Somalia, but to increase trade opportunities between the two countries.

Somalis have readily embraced the Turkish presence in their country because it is seen as non-militaristic and non-interventionist, and focused on physical infrastructure, which has been badly damaged in the last 20 years.

The London Conference on Somalia held in February this year is seen as a belated attempt by Western powers to regain influence in Somalia and as a response to increasing Turkish presence in the country.

Turkey’s approach in Somalia, if successful, will pave the way for other emerging economies to make a significant contribution to Somalia’s economy and society, and to establish a new development paradigm based on a win-win situation for both donor and recipient.

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Why+Turkish+aid+model+is+proving+to+be+a+success+/-/440808/1378016/-/item/0/-/10jog8g/-/index.html

Trade not aid is the keyword here. Interesting times indeed.

Sceptics claim that the Turkish presence in Somalia is not entirely based on altruistic ideals, and that Turkey hopes to gain from the vast resources that Somalia is rumoured to have.

Mr Turun admits that Turkey’s ambitions are not just to give aid to Somalia, but to increase trade opportunities between the two countries.


And what is the problem with this? This is good! Western observers always make it look as though Africans are children who need to be coddled. We know how markets work, we have been trading for centuries.

I love Turkey, they are the first nation since the civil war that has treated Somalia with respect.

And what is the problem with this? This is good! Western observers always make it look as though Africans are children who need to be coddled. We know how markets work, we have been trading for centuries.

I love Turkey, they are the first nation since the civil war that has treated Somalia with respect.

What some of these western countries are saying about Turkey is the same thing they have said agianst China before. They want to have the first say on all the continent's resources.:ohno:

Reuters- Australia's Jacka farms into Somaliland oil block

HARGEISA, April 2 | Mon Apr 2, 2012 12:34pm EDT

(Reuters) - Australian oil explorer Jacka Resources has entered into an agreement with Petrosoma Limited to take a 50 percent equity stake in an oil block in a breakaway enclave of Somalia, Jacka said on Monday.

It said the 22,000 square kilometre Habra Garhajis block -formerly known as block 26 - in southwestern Somaliland was expected to be similar in geology to basins in Yemen and Uganda where billions of barrels of oil reserves have been discovered.

Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has enjoyed relative stability compared to the rest of lawless Somalia, which has been mired in conflict for two decades. However, although it has held a series of peaceful general elections, it remains unrecognised internationally.

"Jacka's management have held the belief for a long time that Somaliland holds great potential," Jacka's Chairman Scott Spencer said in a statement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jacka will be the operator, the company said in a statement. The Habra Garhajis block comprises the whole of concession SL6 and parts of SL7 and 10.

Jacka will conduct a gravity survey and a minimum 500 kms of 2D seismic tests, it said.

In November, Somaliland's government said London-listed company Ophir Energy, Asante Oil and Prime Resources had signed deals under which they would have 18 months to explore, conduct seismic tests and identify wells.

Only 21 wells have been drilled in Somaliland, making it under explored even by the frontier standards of the region, where the oil and gas industries are in their infancy.

Kenya announced last week its first ever oil strike, although more drilling is needed to assess commercial viability. (Reporting by Mark Anderson; Editing by Richard Lough)

http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8F28VQ20120402



Another good news coming from the motherland.

What kind of sodas do they produce? :)


Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta.

http://sbi-group.net/

Im very happy and interested in Business developments in Somalia

keep it up but it would be nice to know names of big foreign companies operating on the ground

congrats to Somali brothers and sisters for this.

^There is no significant foreign presence in Somalia. Almost all companies are owned by local Somali entrepreneurs. I am hopeful as security improves outside companies will enter into the market and we see some of that now.

^There is no significant foreign presence in Somalia. Almost all companies are owned by local Somali entrepreneurs. I am hopeful as security improves outside companies will enter into the market and we see some of that now.

InshAllah

^There is no significant foreign presence in Somalia. Almost all companies are owned by local Somali entrepreneurs. I am hopeful as security improves outside companies will enter into the market and we see some of that now.

They will squeeze in through proxy wars...^^

Somali-Turkish Businessmen's Association established
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpXvhPE4cIR76kSAsg_nVnYqpJk8GsPgNZh0h5cP19PZ78wAF1
The association began activities on April 3 with the participation of three Turkish companies and four Somali entrepreneurs.

Chairman of the Somali-Turkish Businessmen's Association, Bilal Celik, on Saturday said that their aim was to contribute to commercial relations between Somalia and Turkey.

The association organized the Somali-Turkey business forum on April 5.

Celik stressed that they planned to have a business volume of 50 million USD in 2012. - Source (http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=88246)

Great, let the volume grow steadily with each coming year.

Somaliland Beverages Industry, Largest in East Africa

http://hadhwanaag.org/images/700_sbi_logo.jpg

http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_qq.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_666.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_TTTT.jpg
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_yyyyy.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_ccccccccc.JPG
http://hadhwanaag.org/images/711_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.JPG
http://i.imgur.com/JRLVN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/B1QZs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/piaiF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NXHJL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cf0uM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UZ16n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/21Lk5.jpg

How is all of this get distributed? (land, sea, air?)...^^

Interesting company. But they should have picked a less politically loaded name.

How is all of this get distributed? (land, sea, air?)...^^

Roads I assume.

Interesting company. But they should have picked a less politically loaded name.

I don't see anything political here just progress.

http://hadhwanaag.org/images/700_sbi_logo.jpg

I like the logo, it makes me thirsty. :cheers:

http://dissidentnation.com/tiny-somali-town-gives-up-foreign-aid/

No offense but I can't take anything written by Hirsi Fiqi (dissidentnation) serious. He's not a journalist nor is he on the ground / saw the village of Armo with his own eyes.

I don't see anything political here just progress.

I don't think people in Somalia would be too fond of the name Somaliland if SBi tries to market their products there.

IMO, they should have picked a more neutral name.

Guys can we refrain from quoting large picture posts twice on the same page, we'll end up jumping through the pages.

----

Turkey to establish a major international technical institute in Puntland:

Turkiga Oo Machad Weyn Oo Farsamada Gacanta Lagu Barto Ka Hirgelinaya Puntland

Machad caalami ah oo lagu baranayo Xirfadaha kala duwan ee gacanta laga qabto ayaa bilaha soo socda la filayaa in laga hirgeliyo deegaanada Puntland.

Machadkaas oo noqon doona kii ugu horeeyey ee noociisa ah ee laga furo Puntland ayaa waxaa dhisaysa dowladda Turkiga.

Sidoo kale qalabka uu ku shaqeyn doono machadkaasi iyo bareyaasha wax ka dhigaya waxaa iyagana ku deeqeysa dowladda Turkiga.

Warkan ayaa ah mid in badan oo aqoonyahanka iyo bahda waxbarashada ee Puntland kamid ahi ay si aad ah usoo dhoweeyeen.

Wuxuuna soo baxay kadib markii dhowaan uu magaalada Garoowe soo gaarey Safiirka Turkiga u jooga Soomaaliya Dr. Kani Torun.

Mashaariic horumarineed oo dhowr ah oo Turkigu uu balan qaaday inuu Puntland ka fulin doono ayuuna dhismaha Machadkaasi qayb ka yahay.

Puntland oo xiligan ku jirta goobaha Soomaaliya ugu horumarsan dhinaca farsamada gacanta iyo xirfadaha ayaa baahi weyn u qabtay inay hesho Macaahid farsamo oo kan oo kale ah.

Waxaana xusid mudan in todobaadyo kahor qaar kamid ah ardayda wax ka barta dugsiyada farsamada gacanta ee Puntland ay soo saareen gaari soo jiitey indha in badan oo kamid ah bulshada caalamka.

Halkan Ka Daawo Gaarigii La Yaabka Lahaa ee Gaalkacayo Lagu Sameeyey

-- Source (http://horseedmedia.net/2012/02/05/gaari-layaab-leh-oo-gaalkacayo-lagu-sameeyey-daawo/)

The amount of investment they are putting into the Somali education system is amazing! Somalia's recovery is greatly accelerated by Turkey's FDI.

I don't think people in Somalia would be too fond of the name Somaliland if SBi tries to market their products there.

IMO, they should have picked a more neutral name.

Soft drink producers usually stay local though. I would be surprised if their market is larger than Hargeisa and Berbera.

Soft drink producers usually stay local though. I would be surprised if their market is larger than Hargeisa and Berbera.

Many products produced in Somaliland often tend to be also marketed in neighboring as well. I saw a lot of Indhadeero group products in Puntland (especially their soaps/detergents are popular there). So I wouldn't be surprised if SBi eventually marketed in Puntland (although there already is a local beverage company called 'Ilo Taango').

My biggest concern is that many people might think they are state owned when they are not.

Many products produced in Somaliland often tend to be also marketed in neighboring as well. I saw a lot of Indhadeero group products in Puntland (especially their soaps/detergents are popular there). So I wouldn't be surprised if SBi eventually marketed in Puntland (although there already is a local beverage company called 'Ilo Taango').

I can see your point. From a business point of view, i would never mix politics and business. But it doesnt always have the impact that are thinking it has. Competition is mainly on price point, back there.

Anyhow lets keep politics out of this thread as much as possible. :cheers: