Somalilandpress

News headlines from Somaliland, Somalia and the world.

Horn of Africa to double livestock exports to Saudi Arabia

March 26, 2011 · 2125912 Comments2011-03-27+01%3A21%3A37Hassan+Ali

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

BERBERA — Livestock traders in Somaliland welcomed the latest development in Saudi Arabia after 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

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.

Video: Showcasing Somaliland’s rich livestock industry; Abdulrasak Mohamed Mohamoud is the driving force behind Somaliland’s new ties with Malaysia.

[stream provider=youtube flv=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DdvnVqUpC8Sg img=x:/img.youtube.com/vi/dvnVqUpC8Sg/0.jpg embed=false share=false width=450 height=253 dock=true controlbar=over bandwidth=high autostart=false /]

Somalilandpress | 26 March 2011

Follow @somalilandpress

By Hassan Ali

Tags: Djibouti, EECA, Halal, Livestock, Malaysia, Somalia, Somaliland news, Trade

Horris says:

And not a word about the welfare implications for the animals. The world is fully aware of how Saudi treats their animals- with contempt so it stands to reason the suffering of animals exported live will be horrific.

CRUEL CRUEL CRUEL

7:37 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
- Jay says:
  
  How is it cruel? We slaughter our animals for food which is humane and not at all cruel because when its food its ok but hunting and other recreations are cruel.
  
  We have been practicing this since Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and it will continue till the end of time. The only reason few people hide behind "animal welfare" is to target the Islamic faith, why dont you go and say that to Jews they also slaughter their animals and consider it Kosher?
  
  We dont want to eat road kills or animals shot or electricuted, that is nasty and far more crual, imagine running a car over an animal, this is what christians eat today they call it ROAD KILL and you can find it on youtube.
  
  They also electricute their animals and say thats animal welfare, how sick they are.
  
  8:14 pm on March 26, 2011
  
  Log in to Reply
- mohamed says:
  
  you really have a good point about the welfare implications for transporting live animals.
  Hopefully the trading partners should improve their ways of dealing with such matters
  in an appropriate manner. However the slaughtering rituals differ in the beliefs of mankind
  and I guess we should respect each others ways of doing things. No hard feelings Mr. Horris.
  Cheers.
  
  9:21 pm on March 26, 2011
  
  Log in to Reply
mohamed says:

Good news. The livestock business Industry could be developed and processed in so many
different aspects. Factories for processing Canned meat, hides and many other valuables
in addition to livestock exports are real GDP revenue assets for the country. Other markets should
also be explored in all the 5 Continents. Somaliland needs good banks where real LCs could
guarantee business transaction to ensure that no exports take place with the LCs in the local in hand
in the local banks. The Islamic world opening businesses between their countries in particular to
ensure HALAL consumptions as well as the global village in general is indeed a positive credible
policy which should be embraced and fully maintained to flourish.
Cheers.

8:19 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
mohamed says:

Part.2. Correction: to ensure that no exports are conducted without first receiving the LCs in the
local banks.
Cheers.

8:24 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
Guji says:

I am very happy with the Sheikh Technical Veterinary School work and its progress. It is playing important role in our fight for justice because Saudia banned our livestock illegally for political reasons however it can no longer play that card because our facilities and resources have improved. We are going up and we will dominate the livestock market once again.

I remember reading Whatever Happened to Somalia by Idiris aka John Drysdale, it stated livestock from Somalia and SOmaliland was selling $1.20 USD per kilo against NZ $0.80 and Australia $.50 back in the 80s. We were killing them. Saudis love our organic black head sheep with the tail. They like that tasty fat and slim meat.

As long as Saudi market loves our meat we have the upper hand and no one can interupt that.

We should work hard to please the Malaysian market…and this only means giving the Malaysians the opportunity to invest in Somaliland by staying away from all that politics and focusing on economy and development because Malaysians are known for their business and avoid all political issues as well as religious.

We can learn a lot from Malaysia.

Did some googles:
http://www.stvs-edu.org/

Send them some words. Somalilanders have to support one another.

Well done Abdirasak Mohamed Mahamud.

8:37 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
Jay says:

The best thing the Italians did in Somaliland is manageing STVS, good job Terra Nuova. Bella!

8:52 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
Abdullahi says:

We should also look at other institutions, expanding the capacity of the University of Burao's Veterinary Department would be another major step forward.

11:19 pm on March 26, 2011

Log in to Reply
- Hilac says:
  
  I suggest we focus on one Veterinary school, Burao university should offer other courses and leave that department for STVS…we should try to combined colleges as much as possible to save money and resources and focus all our energy on one thing at a time, a combined effort is better than quantity (quality over quantity).
  
  12:06 am on March 27, 2011
  
  Log in to Reply
  - Abdullahi says:
    
    Yes, quality is best but focusing on one institution does not bring quality. Look at other countries, near and far. The University of Burao is an expaning institution that will be here for a long time, inshallah. Support should be given to their efforts.
    
    12:11 pm on March 31, 2011
    
    Log in to Reply
boqoljireh says:

Those blood suckers of Aljabiri and Indhodeero must contribute to the well being of Sheikh Vetrinary School. They should pay some of the school budget.

1:14 am on March 27, 2011

Log in to Reply
Gobaad says:

Good job Mr. Abdulrasak for this connection and hope that Somalilanders around the globe should come back and invest in their Country.

I believe that our liveline is our livestock. Therefore, we should put a great emphasis on having more graduates from Veterinary and agricultural Schools.

10:07 pm on March 27, 2011

Log in to Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Somaliland:Somaliland Success Story

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOMALILAND AND ACCOMPLISHED SUCCESS Now the 22nd anniversary of Independence of Somaliland has passed in grace, peace, and enjoyment and Somali ...

Somaliland:President Silanyo Receives French Ambassador

By Goth Mohamed Goth President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) today in the Presidency received the republic of France Ambassador to Kenya, Somalia and Somaliland Ambassador ...

Somaliland:EU hands-over Sheikh Technical Veterinary School to IGAD

Press release Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Today, the European Union has launched the handing over phase of the Sheikh Technical Veterinary School to the ...

Somaliland:EU Envoy Invites Somaliland to Attend EU Conference Which Aim’s at Raising funds for the rebuilding of Somalia

By Goth Mohamed Goth H.E. President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) today met with European Union envoy Mr. Michele Cervone d’Urso at the Presidency in Hargeisa. ...