Somaliland
President Silanyo meets Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
April 25, 2011 · 17 Comments
DUBAI — President Ahmed M. Silanyo met with Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) at his residence in the capital on Saturday. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi was crowned as the Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah in October 2010 following the death of his father, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi and has been keen to see his part of the UAE develop and enhance its relationships with regional and international partners.
The President and his delegation were received at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport by a sizeable motorcade which escorted the delegation to the palace of Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Following a luncheon, President Silanyo and Sheikh Saud sat down together to exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern. The two leaders agreed to open a new chapter of strategic cooperative partnership and development between Somaliland and RAK.
According to a press release issued by the Presidential Office, Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, welcomed the idea of Somaliland opening a trade office in its capital Ras Al Khaimah. The office, the first in the region, aims to help generate direct investment by Gulf companies in Somaliland. Its main areas of focus will be:-
- raise awareness of investment possibilities
- to help broker negotiations
- foster trade
- elicit development aid and humanitarian assistance
Somaliland is to open a trade office in Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
The two leaders also discussed ways in which the Sheikh himself could invest in Somaliland in various sectors such cement and infrastructure. Sheikh Saud is the founder of RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles.
The emirate is also home to the largest cement plant in the region and the first and leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the Gulf. The President outlined a new foreign investment law aimed at ensuring that legal investments are given proper protection in line with international standards.
He also discussed with the RAK leader the possibility of Somalilanders being permitted to travel to the UAE using the Somaliland passport.
Ras Al Khaimah whilst not a major oil producer has a strong industrial economy. It is currently undertaking a number of projects aimed at making the region an investment destination, these plans include the recently announced Al Filayya Industrial City.
Separately, the Minister of Trade, Industrialization and Tourism, Abdirisaq Khalif Ahmed met with a number of major companies in the UAE to explore mutually beneficial co-operation.
With burgeoning international interest in Somaliland various Arab countries, which in the past were hostile or at best lukewarm to the Republic are now eager to begin open dialogue and explore trading opportunities. Somaliland’s international standing continues to rise and it has been interesting to note in recent months that as well as the cordiale reception President Silanyo has received whilst visiting various Gulf States regional neighbours have recognized Somaliland’s growing importance. Evidence of this can be seen in a number of areas including Saudi Arabia lifting its livestock ban and Yemen opening a trade office in Hargeisa.
The President and his delegation have been in the UAE for the past week and are due to fly to Kuwait from Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Somalilandpress | 25 April, 2011
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Tags: President Silanyo, RAK Ceramics, Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Somaliland, UAE
Readers Comments (17)
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I welcome the latest development between Somaliland and the UAE in particular Abu Dhabi and RAK. I am very optimistic about RAK and Somaliland ties and I am confident under the leadership of wise HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi the RAK emirate will reach a golden age. Hopefully their big cement company can help restart the Berbera cement factory which was the largest cement factory in what was then Somalia.
RAK has proven that cement and ceramic tiles can be very profitable with the right leadership, marketing, equipment and drive. If we can get these two area started I am confident we can reach new heights like the Emirates of RAK, who built their entire industry on three things, cement, ceramics and Julphar pharmaceutical.
Thank you RAK for the opportunity to put forward our views and hope the trade office opens soon.
well done our president may god be with him all the time, at last other nations recognize that not all Somalis are untrustworthy and that they can deal with us and trust us with their money without worrying it will dissapear into thin air . the rest of Somalis need to watch carefully and learn from the best , hating will only set you back , you are already behind 20 years don't make it any longer ,somaliland rebuilding the name Somali in the world stage , we took on us that responsiblity and we shall succeed inshallah
This is a good progress in the right direction for Somaliland. They (Silaanyo and his government) have been in office few months before Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who is related to the ruler of Sharjah, but has made serious progress. I was big anti-Silanyo before his election but I am glad he is the president and people made the right choice.
Somaliland can benefit from ties with Ras al Khaimah and its various industries. The Sheikh will has to focus on Al Filayya Industrial City and resolving the energy issues. Amazes me the UAE emirates like Abu Dhabi and Dubai have such vast oil and gas reserves yet its own Ras Al Khaimah sometimes faces blackouts because of energy shortages. You see what a selfish people Arabs are so I am not sure if they (Abu Dhabi & Dubai) will even send one penny to Somaliland because they don't even offer any thing to RAK or other emirates. I like Ras Al Khaimah and its honest Sheikh Ruler and I hope they succeed even if it means joining Iran. Other Emirates are selfish, greedy and spoiled badouins.
This President and his government must be really good! Even the Great Kayse thinks so!
Somaliland waves buh-bye to the haters and neigh-sayers.
One critical area is for the Somaliland Govt. to find a break through for the Somaliland Passport
legally accepted Internationally. This highly important aspect becomes all the more important
specially when Somaliland is gaining more fame and attention by the IC including the GCC
and AL, OIC etc. Whilst the issue for recognition to join the UN is top priority equally important
is to initiate opening Charge de affairs consular offices in these countries.
Cheers.
The Somali Passport is no longer accepted in many parts of the world due to lack of legitimate government and so it would be very interesting to see if the State of Somaliland can persuade the Arabs to accept its Passport. I have my doubts that any country will accept such a Passport considering that Somaliland is still considered part of Somalia by the international community.
Long live Siilaanyo and his ministers. I truly respect this new government.
Kayse – I am glad you have finally come to your sense. You have been unpredictable for quite sometime, but it looks you have now believing in Somaliland and its government. Thanks for that Mr. Kayse. With this new development, what Somaliland needs is hones experts of Somaliland origin to engage and negotiate with the investors. We have to make from now, a solid proactive law that regulates the investment opportunities. Africa is robbed due to the ignorance of their leaders, but as a Somaliland patriot, I would like to see a different initiative. We should seek experts to help us negotiate such projects that are at horizon.
This is to Mr. Nur: If our government takes this seriously I believe its possible. Taiwan is not recognized by many, but still they travel with their Passport all over the world. Why not us? Business interest can over look the international protocol, if we use it.
Boqoljireh,
Don't worry Boqoljireh on my views of Somaliland, just know I want this nation to succeed as much as many of you do, I just believe in taking a different path.
I agree with what you said above and I think part of that can come from by working with international legal firms who can not only negotiate on behave of us and they get some commission but also help us develop international investment laws and other key legislations.
Somaliland should work with legal bodies from both the Islamic world (Sharia compliance) and Western nations…to please everyone.
We have to team up with legal firm from UAE, Kuwait and UK. Our laws should be pro investment, open minded, friendly to all, clear, well executed and enforced…with that I am confident we will have more business friends in the world.
Right now there is no clear law, you just dont invest in an unknown environment, its like asking me to invest in Mongolia…
Key areas should be infrastructure (port of Berbera, Berbera corridor, EaSSy Submarine Cable), whose main client is Ethiopia's 100 million people; cement, Horn of Africa is set to grow in particular Ethiopia again which will need huge vast of cement and other construction materials, so this is the chance for RAK to take its ceramic tiles to Africa…tourism, with improved security, security laws (allowing private foreign and local companies to form security firms), Arab nations will be happy to holiday in the Horn and the Red Sea…
Somaliland right now needs more than anything a LEGAL team who speak the international legal language, it needs to relax its security laws and allow the establishment of private security firms including ones from the Arab and Western world, who can offer protection to wealthy holiday makers, visitors, etc.
@Boqoljireh, Taiwan is not recognized? I did a quick google search and you’re right! You learn something new everyday, huh? Back to the article though, I don’t care for these Arabs who hold promises of trade offices, trade delegations blah blah blah.
We want straight up recognition, then we’ll be able to do our own bidding. Somaliland doesn’t need a carrot and stick to keep chasing. They need to get more aggressive in their quest for recognition. We can’t accept the status quo any longer. Just my thoughts. Cheers!
Somalia sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity is untouchable Somalia is one nation no matter how you seek recognition is not going to happen, when the south get peace then negotiate with south bring to the table with big demand like power sharing take turn the presidency or make the capital Hargeysa, but we can't divide our country already colony divide that is enough. Somalia will be peace inshaallah.
Mr. Silaanyo he met the rular part of United Arab Emirates his counterpart, Mr. Silaanyo he is the rular part of Somalia. If United Arab Emirates consider Mr. Silaanyo as president of reconize country he would meet the president of UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan not rular region of UAE.
Somalia President met his counterpart —–> http://english.alshahid.net/archives/1369 that is Country not part of Somalia.
You have to realize Somalia is one nation and no one can divide.
Somali Wadani
This is a Somaliland site,, so pleas go away with your hatered,, I mean grow up ,, it is fu**ing 2011. And you always sound like someone who just want 1 thing that will NEVER HAPPEN.. Joining again a hatefull country. We made our mistake in the past by trusting you. We learne from it and we will not make the same mistake. Somalia have it's own history and Somaliland has also it's own history. We are totally different, specially mentally (obviously you just can operate with hate). Somaliland was never been slaves for anyone. We are very smart and we work always with love and reality. So please understand that it WILL NEVER HAPPEN. 3.5 million people will die for their country if anything like it will even occure to happen, i am also included by the way. SO AGAIN, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN…… 1 advice, Wake up and stop hating, cuz that brought you were somalia is now, just stop hating.
Somalia was a one nation not anymore,maybe in the future inshallah.for now every tribe should work on them selfs to bring peace and coexistence with other clans.
Somalia is not a nation. are you deaming. Go to somaliland and you will see a 25 year old man who never witness a Somali flag. I thing you are dreaming. New generation is on the power. please come to reality and don´t wake up the dead. Wish you all the best.
Hay mister Togdherboy :), I hope you ar doing great..
OMG ,, I mean those people (from somalia) are really stupid or something.. I mean we dont want them and they want us.. seriously… it's just like a date, if it doesn't work out than it ends and the two people goes their seperate ways.. But nooooo this person is still after the other persoon, stalking and beging to come back… they were already lower than low,, when you think they reached the lowest point , nooooo there is still a lower point that they are reaching, I mean Unfu**ing believible. Don't they have any self-respect ………
to abdi824 and Somali Wadani WE DON'T WANT YOU… seriously go fu**ing stalk other countries… I feel really disgasted about them seriously… that is why i can never talk with them in were i live, thank God I never see them…
ofcorse i want that they come to there sences and get a little self-respect and realize that they realy stalking on us…. and because they are muslim I have a little respect for them…