In an event held at Chatham House, London UK on 19 April 2018 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Somaliland Foreign Minister HE Dr. Saad Ali Shire laid out Somaliland’s regional priorities and strategic partnerships.
At this event, HE Dr. Saad Ali Shire discussed regional relations including with neighbors Somalia and Ethiopia, the influence of the Gulf States and impact of the crisis, and developments in the Berbera Port deal and other infrastructure projects, as well as how they can progress Somaliland’s economic growth and regional integration.
Dr. Saad Ali Shire said, “National vision is to see a stable, democratic & prosperous country with high quality of life. Regional vision is to see a family of states in the Horn of Africa with integrated economies”. He continued saying: “we would like to have similar cordial relations with Somalia as we have with Ethiopia & Djibouti. We have not abandoned the Turkish facilitated dialogue with Somalia & will re-start them when the time is right”.
“Somaliland has strong economic & political ties with the Gulf states based on mutual interests. 80% of exports go to Saudi Arabia; 20% to Yemen; and 1/3 of imports arrive via the UAE”.
“We hope that Berbera Port deals lead to employment opportunities at construction phase, as well as increased logistical & transport jobs due to greater traffic through the port”.
“Somaliland government collects taxes from Berbera Port – these are used to provide community services that will benefit the wider population”.
Saad Ali Shire providing concluding remarks to a packed hall at Chatham House said, “Somaliland shares the history, culture & values of the Commonwealth. My visit to the UK coincides with Commonwealth summit & we aspire to be member of the Commonwealth soon”.