Exploit Commercial Chances in Somalia

Wafula Wamunyinyi
Nairobi

Finally, the Somalia government has moved to their country. This is good for Kenya and everyone else. To the Somali citizens, the government's move will offer the Somali Transition Federal Government (TFG) an opportunity to embark on national development.

During the Somali government's seven months stay in Kenya, following its inauguration in Kenya, many people at international and national levels have had argued that for Somalia to realise any meaningful development, the government has to shift base to Somalia.

To paraphrase a newspaper columnist and publisher, Mr Barrack Muluka, I have always been restrained by Novelist Chinua Achebe's ascription of not nursing compassionate feelings for someone, more than that person feels for himself. However, in this case, I am optimistic that the shift heralds good tidings for Somalia citizens.

Now that President and his team have packed and gone, my conscience liberates me to come public and wish them well in their future endeavours.

As much as the shift will benefit the Somalia citizens, I equally see major openings for Kenya.

Surrender illegal arms
The first is that Kenya's security is likely to improve with restoration of peace in Somalia, as the warlords will surrender the illegal arms, which commonly their way into our country. Another benefit is that with proper strategies, Kenya will be central to Somalia's economic growth.

Many countries are certainly angling themselves to get into Somalia to do all sorts of business. Many want to exploit the country's massive resources.

Since Kenya has a long relationship with Somalia, it is better placed to enter into various business deals with the country, ahead of everybody else.

Due to its resources, Somalia has survived for almost one and half decades without a central government following the fall of President Siad Barre's regime in 1991. This means that with proper planning, the country can overtake many other nations that have otherwise existed peacefully for many years and lead Africa's economic progress.

The Kenyan mission to Somalia should have explored the business opportunities so that once things are in place, local investors can just go in and set up shop. Further, the mission should have explored employment opportunities that Kenyans can fill, especially in areas like health and education.

The Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia, Mr Mohammed Affey, in a recent Press interview said his office had started compiling a CVs database of Kenyan professionals who are interested in working in Somalia. This process should be made public so that as many people as possible can be include. Somalia' human resource base is low and it will certainly require many people.

Kenya's institutions responsible for promoting trade and investments are headed by able people and they should be encouraged to move fairly fast to open up paths for local investors. The teams include Prof Henry Mukonambi Bwisa, who is the chairman of Investment Promotion Council and industrialist Matanda Wabuyela of the Export Promotion Council.

Somalia's strategic location within Africa as a sea, land and air link between the horn of Africa, East and Central Africa, Middle East, Asia and European nations gives it undue advantage once it starts engaging in international trade.

Another blessing is that the explorations in the 1980s revealed a potential for oil and gas reserves, and Somalia's other resources include sand, quarry stones, frankincense, among others.

An added advantage is that Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa, measuring 3,550 km between the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Aden. She is also one of the four main ocean ports on the European and Far East maritime trade routes. The World acclaimed Berbera port is an international commercial transport hub for the region.

Donations from other nations
With these and many others, coupled with the international goodwill, Somalia is straightaway headed for political stability, which will obviously translate into economic prosperity.

Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the international community have declared their support towards Somalia's reconstruction programmes. The country has a trust fund of .6 million while the United Nations pledged million and Norway million. Somalia expects a floodgate of donations from other nations and bodies, once it settles down.

It is high time that the stakeholders in the Kenyan economy moved fast, to position the country at angle that would make her compete above other nations in gaining from the "Rebirth of Somalia" government.


Source: Daily Nation , June 18, 2005

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