UK-Somaliland Trade & Investment Forum 2014

On October 14th, at One Whitehall Place, London, Developing Markets Associates (DMA) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in association with the Government of the Republic of Somaliland hosted the UK-Somaliland Trade & Investment Forum.   This highly acclaimed event was attended by over 300 delegates including key stakeholders and high level representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Opening addresses were given by Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive of Developing Markets Associates; HE Ali Aden Awale, Somaliland Head of Mission to the UK; HMA Neil Wigan, British Ambassador; James Duddridge MP, Minister for Africa and the Rt Hon Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development. Hon Mohamed Behi Yonis, Minister of Foreign Affairs; HE Ahmed Mohamed Mahamoud, President of the Republic of Somaliland then gave a keynote address. 

The opening session, chaired by HMA Neil Wigan, British Ambassador provided an overview of the investment climate in Somaliland and included presentations from Hon Dr Sa'ad Ali Shire, Minister of Planning & National Development; Mohamed Shukri Jama, Chairman, Somaliland Chamber of Commerce; Abdirashid Duale, CEO, Dahabshiil; Ibrahim Yusuf, Executive Director, Horn of African Business Association; and Hassan Mahmoud, Chief Execuive, Omaar Global.

The following two sessions provided an overview of investment opportunities in Infrastructure and Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries. These sessions were chaired by Rachel Turner, Director, DFID and Ambassador Haydon Warren-Gash, Director, Developing Markets Associates. The audience enjoyed presentations from Hon Hersi Ali Hassan, Minister of Presidency; Dominique Lafont, President, Bolloré Africa Logistics; Ajay Chowdhary, Senior Consultant, Berbera Development Company; Saed Hussein Guled, Chief IT Director, Telesom; Hon Farah Elmi Mahamoud, Minister of Agriculture; Hon Hussein Ahmed Abdulle, Minister of Water; Mohammed Yusef, CEO, Pontus Marine; and Mahamed-Guled Ibrahim, CEO, Guul Group.

The fourth and penultimate session provided an overview of investment opportunities in Energy, Mines & Renewables and was chaired by Michela Wrong, Journalist and Author. Presentations were given by Hon Eng Hussein Abdi Dualeh, Minister of Minerals & Energy; Gregory Bowes, CEO, Nubian Gold Corporation; and Mike Adams, Exploration Manager for Africa, Genel Energy.

The final session provided an overview on Supporting Trade & Industry. Presentations were given by HE Dr Musa Qassim Omar, Minister of Trade & Investment; Edna Adan Ismail, Chairman and Chief Executive, Edna Hospital; and Stephen Doughty MP.

Closing remarks were given by HE Ahmed Mohamed Mahamoud, President of the Republic of Somaliland before guests were invited to take part in a Gala Reception.

UK-Somaliland Trade & Investment Forum 2014
One Whitehall Place, London

Programme of the Day

08:00am - 090:0am: Registration & Refreshments

0900-0930: Welcome Address & Opening Comments

Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates
HE Ali Aden Awale, Somaliland Head of Mission to the UK
HMA Neil Wigan, British Ambassador
James Duddridge MP, Minister for Africa
The Rt Hon Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development

09:30am -09:45am: Keynote Address

Hon Mohamed Behi Yonis, Minister of Foreign Affairs
HE Ahmed Mohamed Mahamoud, President of the Republic of Somaliland

09:45am-11:00am: Session 1 – Economic Outlook & Financial Sector Deepening
Chair: HMA Neil Wigan, British Ambassador

Hon Dr Sa’ad Ali Shire, Minister of Planning & National Development
Mohamed Shukri Jama, Chairman, Somaliland Chamber of Commerce
Abdirashid Duale, CEO, Dahabshiil
Ibrahim Yusuf, Executive Director, Horn of Africa Business Association
Hassan Mahmoud, Chief Executive, Omaar Global

Q&A Session

11:00am-11:30am: Refreshments Break

11:30am-12:45: Session 2 - Investing in Infrastructure
Chair: Rachel Turner, Director, DFID

Hon Hersi Ali Hassan, Minister of Presidency
Dominique Lafont, President, Bolloré Africa Logistics
Ajay Chowdhary, Senior Consultant, Berbera Development Company
Saed Hussein Guled, Chief IT Director, Telesom

Q&A Session

12:45pm-13:45pm: Networking Lunch

13:45pm-15:00pm: Session 3 - Investing in Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries
Chair: Ambassador Haydon Warren-Gash, Director, Developing Markets Associates