International News
British Investors Arrive in Somaliland
February 12, 2011 · 26 Comments
HARGEISA — With investment and business deals in mind, a British business delegation of six members arrived in the country on Saturday afternoon to hold talks with government officials.
The investors were warmly received at the Presidential palace by President Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo, Vice-President Abdulrahman Abdullahi Ismail and other senior ministers.
The delegation, led by Somaliland-born British businessman Mohamed Yusuf and composed of joint venture and private companies from various industries, are expected to spend the next five days in the country to study the business climate and opportunities in the country.
According to a press release signed by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir, the trip is a follow-up action for the agreements President Silaanyo reached with members of the UK government and British firms during his visit to London in late November of last year.
It was during that last visit by President Silaanyo that British and Somaliland investors established an economic cooperation center dubbed the Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce (ASCC). The Chamber will promote trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Somaliland’s private sector and will help foster a cooperation between the two sides.
Mr. Yusuf, who has important contacts in the British corporate and government sector, played a crucial in the establishment of ASCC and is currently the president of the organization.
As well as holding negotiations and exploring greater investment opportunities in Somaliland, the delegation also brought with them an invitation for the Somaliland government from their UK counterparts.
The delegation revealed that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has invited three Somaliland minister for another trade and commerce conference to be held in London at the end of March.
The conference is expected to host British investors and buyers from both public and private sectors and will enhance bilateral economic cooperation between the two nations. For the first time the UK government is to treat Somaliland as a sovereign nation with equal playing field.
Anglo-Lander meetings
President Silaanyo briefed the investors of his regime’s achievements since coming to power in July 2010 and the economic reforms they carried out so far. He cited that Somaliland was a virgin solid pipeline of investment opportunity and that his regime has plans to broaden the economy and build stronger foundation for investment opportunities. He added Somaliland was capital-hungry country and a great strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal.
It’s not clear the areas the British investors will explore for possible investment but Somaliland is pushing forward with plans to privatise port of Berbera; the only deep-water port in the Gulf of Aden and an increasingly important port for Ethiopia. The country has proven hydrocarbon potential but two American firms, Chevron and ConocoPhillips maintain their former concessions in the region stands and they still have the rights to explore. However, these concessions were signed under dictator Mohamed Siad Bare who fell more than two decades ago.
Somaliland is part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) and shares a very similar geological evolution as Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is believed to have precious and industrial metals such as gold, zinc, lead, tin, copper and silver, in particular along the coastline, where rocks have been crystallizing on the flanks of the Red Sea since the Neoproterozoic era.
Somaliland is also part of the Mozambique belt and has abundant deposits of gemstones, from emerald to aquamarine, ruby and sapphire as well as vast amounts of garnet, quartz and opal as well as lesser-known minerals such as titanite and vesuvianite. A number of local miners have already unearthed emeralds, rubies and opals but most mining is extremely difficult and painstakingly slow because most miners lack the proper tools and equipment.
In 1977, a Bulgarian company extracted some 200 tonnes of quartz of high purity and clarity in an area to the west of Darbuuruq, near Gabiley.
According to a South African geologist and gemmologist Dr Judith Kinnaird, there is production of red spinel and tourmaline in dark green and pink watermelon type, zircon, nice crystals of colourless topaz, blue and green vesuvianite, rarer titanite as well as apple green apatite occurs in abundance in the emerald-bearing localities.
Somaliland is seeking investors to help them construct a railway from the port city of Berbera to the town of Tog-Wajale on the Ethiopian border. They are also seeking foreign investors in the telecommunication, health and education sectors.
The new administration said foreign capital and investment is one of their top priorities during their time in office. As well as Britain, the government plans to invite investors from China, United States, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The President is expected to visit both Beijing and Washington in the months ahead.
Somaliland was a British protectorate that gained independence on June 26 1960, the country was formally recognized for a few days in 1960 as the State of Somaliland, before unifying with the Trust Territory of Somalia (the former Italian Somaliland) later the same week to form the Somali Republic.
However the union went sour and Somali republic collapsed in 1991 after two decades of internationally-hidden civil war. Shortly after, Somaliland declared the restoration of its sovereignty.
Somalilandpress | 12 Feb 2010
Email this story
Tags: Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce, British, Somaliland, UK
Readers Comments (26)
Somaliland
SOMALILAND: 1100 teachers complete teacher training courses
HARGEISA – Vice-President Abdulrahman A. Ismail on Tuesday congratulated more than 1,100 teachers who concluded school-based teacher training courses in the capital. Teachers from universities, secondary ...
Somaliland: Africa’s unofficial country
HARGEISA — Most local banknotes in Somaliland are only worth pennies, so a brick of money is usually needed to buy a meal of camel ...
Somaliland:VP meets World Bank Officials
Somaliland Vice President Hon Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismael (saylici) has met with a delegation from the World Bank who are currently in the country ...
SOMALILAND: Land dispute leaves seven dead and scores wounded
- UPDATED HARGEISA — In a gory fallout of a dispute over land, at least four civilians were shot by armed security forces in the capital’s ...
Somaliland mourns Dr Abdishakur Sheikh Ali Jowhar
BORAMA – Hundreds of people on Monday mourned the death of psychiatrist Dr. Abdishakur Sh. Ali Jowhar who was killed in a road accident on ...
Your Say
Dr Jowhar: We lost a friend, a Hero
Jama Musse Jama A tribute to a true patriot Abdishakur passed away on May 13, 2012 in a car accident at Tulli village, between Dilla and Borama ...
- Why Hiil Qaran Party Will Not Have a Significant Impact on the Politics of Somalia
- Sunday 20 May: Join in Commemorating late Dr Jowhar
- Qurbomeer State should stop smearing the reputation of Lula A Osman
- May 18: Somaliland Independence Day – Message from Islamabad
- When will Somaliland people know that their choices determine their destiny
- What does the Somaliland flag really represent?
- Somaliland: Istanbul is not the end of the world
- Do Muslims in the West need funeral covers?
- Are the Somali Unionists’ Predictions on Somaliland’s Collapse Crumbling under their Feet?
- Open letter to the People of Qatar & their Government
GEESI LOO HANWEYNAA – A tribute to my hero Dr. Jowhar
Hearing of the death of Dr. Abdishakur Sh. Ali Jowhar struck me as a thunderbolt out of the blue. At no time can one be ...
10 Years after Timor’s Independence, Where Is the Justice?
OPINION | May 16, 2012 John M. Miller The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) congratulated the people of Timor-Leste as they prepared to celebrate the ...
Yes,its time to get serious n make some serious improvements to develop the economy even more.
Great progress, I am very happy for Somaliland. God willing they will succeed. May God also bring peace and prosperity to the rest of struggling Somali People every where else. I recognize investment is condusive to good governance and reliable stability. I hope Somalia and Puntland are watching with good intentions and are working hard to emulate their brother's success. War mongering, nepotism and short visions only bare hate, destruction and will put us further back another 4 decades.
The anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce is a step forward in the right direction
and there are much to prosper both countries. In addition I don't see the Oil exploration Industry
which would be ideal for the BP and other major US and IC oil companies to take into consideration.
I remember the booming developments of the GCC and Iran by the Western technologies and the
same methods should apply in the HOA/E.A. I think the HMG has so much to give and gain to lead
the world in this venture using their old expertise of colonialising the whole world under the
power yoke " the Sun never sets under the British Empire in an allround good ways of neopolitical
knowhow majurity.
Cheers.
One thing I hated about the past regime, was the fact the didn't make any tangible efforts to attract foreign investments. I understand recognition in itself can make a hell of a difference in improving the livelyhoods of normal Somalilanders but we should focus more on bringing foreign companies and money into our economy,
Instead of all these useless advisors and councils , our honourable President should appoint an envoy for Foreign Investment and Economic Development, and add one or two westerners into the mix. It never too late!
There are quite a few business people who have been coming to Somaliland lately, I hope something positive comes out of it. visiting and looking at possibilities of Investing is one thing, but actual investment which Somaliland needs is a different thing. I hope this guests are serious and do the right thing by actually investing.
I wont say its great but its definitely a step in the right direction. This is very serious step and people they would not be wasting their time creating such chamber at the first place, secondly, this is their second serious meeting and the third as said will be held in March in Great Britain.
We need to hire a law firm I believe, that can legally pursue and clear the way for foreign investment, we also need security assesment firm to periodically visit Somaliland and asses the security situation and share their findings with the chamber, investors, governments, NGOs…the law firm should also go after and Somaliland's recognition rights legally and should deal with the right channels, governments, etc.
Theres so much we can do and need.
I suggest signing a contract with
A) Law firm, that knows about international laws, maritime, borders, investments, aid, development
B) Security firm, not only asses the situation but also advices the government and trains recruitments.
Somaliland and Britain must work together to safeguard their interest.
Thank you for this informative piece. This should be a " must read" for all Somaliland officials including the FM. I conclude that this is what a Somaliland recognition presentation must feel, look, sound and smell like. A BIG THANK YOU TO THE AUTHOR!
This is what we need. I request the Opposition Parties to refrain from criticizing everything that this noble government does. Without considering the collateral damage it could do, we always go against the tide by criticizing everything that comes to our way. We have to grow and work with our government who is better than its predecessors.
Somaliland is here to stay.
this is a very good news and we(foreign somalialnders)follows the evens carrefully and hoppe that we innchallah able to participe on the devellopement of the country
That is what, I have been hearing the last 20 years, that investors are coming to Somaliland to invest, but unfortunately, nothing has been substantiated. I think, it's just a way of dramatising non-existent news articles but just intended to make their news tasty for the readers onlyt. I don't either believe it.
Musa
It's real this time inshallah. Better believe it brothda Musa.
Cheers.
A good intention goes a very long way. We should have good a intention, a positive attitude and look forward. Many good things are coming our way-the Somaliland way. We can only succeed if we all work together and support our country. Let us justl do it! not for Kulmiye, UDUB or UCID but for Somaliland.
is gabilley in sool???axmad……
Somaliland is cape of Good Hope, this is a forward and sustainable step all what we need is equity, progress and broherhood among the nation of Somaliland.
Cheers
Long life Somaliland
In contrast the Somalis have a shakesppear like called a " mandeeq". The difference is
Shakespear has spectacular heroic history. But for the Somalis Mandeeq is like Jesus antichrist
coming to save the world against the tyranny of the Satan forces. The competition of Mandeeq is
going on between Somaliland Puntland Somalia. In addition to majestic powers of Mandeeq for
the Somalis it's also the utmost beauty queen like Arabian queen Saba of Yemen during prophet
Solomon era. The rivalry tug of war to gain this distinquished queen mandeeq does look like that
Somaliland as the Cape of good hope is about to be the lucky winner.
Cheers to Shakespear and Mandeeq look alikes.
Cheers.
Somalilanders with their week jugments believe that they cann´t stand with their own legs without a forgning help.
STOP THAT SICK IDEA. For sure ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY. A bad begining makes a good end. There are thousands of young jobless healthy somalilanders on the streets of Hargeysa, Burao and Berbera. Buy secondhand trucktors moblize and encourage them to cultivate the farms. Think about wasting millions of hours for useless green leaves(QAT).
Somaliland is part of this universe and it has an obligation to work with the rest of the world. That dosen´t mean i must put my future and the future of my children in someones hands. Grow up brother!
Forget the old brain wash idea. THE WORLD COMMUNITY WILL FEED AND HELP ME. Help yourself first. God helps those help themselves.
Dearest Togdheer Boy I really appreciate your fruitful message to the Somaliland Youth I hope they can recognize the hidden flames burning your heart when you are trying to convince them in helping them selves instead of seeking help from others. As Togdheer lovely boy i regret to mention that there is no water in togdheer region per the surveying of the ministry of planning when they said we could not find water in Oodweyne and togdheer region, while we are aware of underground streams. The agriculture ministry recently received new tractors from FAO 10 ea, I hope the government will split them on region basis instead of dispatching them to Borama and Gebiley their usual habit. Good Bless Togdheer the hot-blooded nation.
This isn't the time to explore natural resources for many reasons including unrecognized state, wars going on and so on. This could even give people more problems similar Sanaag and Putland conflicts. It was started when Putland signed a business deal with outside world and Sanaag rejected. British stayed in North Somalia/Somaliland from 1880s to 1960. Its about 70 to 80 years under the British infuleinces but some people think British people can do everything for them that isn't true. Today British has crowded small Island and wouldn't have anything to over us anyway.
It look like when people heard British they also remember what would be their good old days. No Somalis where harrass by the British Forces while they used some locals.Don't forget we have got the independent in 1960 and people should deal British the same they deal with others the French, Italian, American and African. British is no longer important.
Correction, British doesn't have anything to offer us so it's better to help yourself by getting business deal whom ever gives you more opportunity rather than chasing those you have historical ties.
Dumb thick mind what you fail to understand and acknowledge that the British world
colonial dominance expertise experience doesn't go away so easily. In our contemporary
world order of 5 veto powers the British and the US (two Tom and Jerry) are the major dominant
World powers. Of course the US is the world super power but Don't forget the US itself was
a British colonial country and the colonial marks can't simply go away. Ask me brothda the British
administrations are always much better. Look at whereever the British ruled in the Worldover.
You will always find working systems.
Cheers.
Hearing Somaliland also meant hearing British this is very funny. I even met a person who told me his father used to worked in Hargisa long time ago, it used to called Somaliland at the time, yes now its Somalia and you should get used to it i insisted. We won't be colonialize again and all these powers are yesters powers. We are free from those you think for your forever masters. They told you, you are better than other Somalis and that is why some people are stil crying after British, it a time to majure and let go 70 years they have had brainwashed the people in Somaliland. Everything has an end and people should move on. Now keep the British to yourselves and don't tranfer to us also we don't recognized the border some of you claiming so many years this is Somalia after all and stil is, its internationality recognized. The period of British is over and it better to work with your neighboring African Countries like Ethopia and Kenya. In the future different Somalia will be born that based on justice and win-win situation and alternative would be getting more than 20 governments cross Somalia which don't related.
Awdalboy the gaenocide that committed by somalians never committed by colonizers remember our sons and dauthers and loved ones killed before our eyes. We loved Britain and all western tax payers as they provided us shelter and sescurtiy when our own leaders and generals comitting genocide against us. when the oppostions attacked the govenment 50,000 un armed civilian were bombed and killed in Hargissa and Buro with in one week . you many not care about that but those who lost thier lost ones the only justice we have is somaliland our flag and freedom. the blue flag is a symbole of genocide memory for most of us. please go and search for history. do not remind us our loved ones. do not dream of big somalia that is a history.
Invetors arrival is good news. It shows this government is serious.
i would suggest that special attention to be given to lifestock.It is the bachbone of Somaliland economy. It is the
best investment for future. Let as find buyer of FRESH MEAT not LIVE Animals.In 1972,the price os somali sheep was 56 dollars. After 40 years it is the SAME
PRICE. WHY??? Because our traders dump
& flood the market . Government need to
educate traders and regulate the LiveStock.
Also the most promising that can change the Somaliland economy is the OIL & GAS.
It is abundant and Government should
bypass CHEVERON and CONOCO. It was signed by the Dictator of Somalia and we are not Somalia. It should invite
international Investors.Invite Malasians
Iranians, Chinese companies. Somaliland
is not married to Cheveron or Conoco.
They did nothing to help Somaliland.
Good Luck Somaliland. Make INVESTMENT LAW that attracts investors.Follow Dubai
investment laws.
Saluga: Please do not go there. Somaliland people are known for their forgiveness. We can only continue to progress as we go forward knowing the past and forging ahead with a forgiving heart. Let us forgive and not forget the history!
I am not sure the intention of this delegation. I though the President is unable to reach decision on his own. The government decisions are made by his secretary, I was told. Is that right? He only signs directives prepared by others rather than govern the country.