Abu Dhabi: Endorsing strong ties between Somalia and the UAE, the President of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohammad Ali, who is currently on a four-day official visit to the UAE, says the UAE is playing a key role in the development of Horn of Africa region.
Puntland, a region in northeastern Somalia, is the federal member state of Somalia and was established in 1998 before the formation of the federal government in 2004.
“Somalia and the UAE have firm historical ties and the UAE is the biggest trading partner of Somalia. The country has welcomed thousands of Somalis and provided them with employment, and we are here to develop that partnership which is helping the Horn of Africa progress,” Ali said in a statement issued Thursday by the Dubai Press Club.
He added that the UAE has been a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism, illegal human trafficking, illegal fishing and piracy.
Touching upon the Bossaso Port project with P&O Ports of Dubai, he said: “The powers provided to us by the constitution on foreign direct investment, allow us to enter into agreements with national and foreign companies. Bosasso is one example that will help move our economy forward, developing trade in the region and creating jobs for our people.”
Strategic location
The president explained that P&O Ports had agreed a legitimate concession in 2017 to operate the existing facility at Bosaso while building a new port.
Puntland is strategically located and is the only state that borders both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is the oldest federal member state of Somalia and was established in 1998 before the formation of the federal government in 2004.
Speaking of ties with the federal government in Somalia, Ali said they support a federal government that upholds the constitution and also respects the rights of state governments in their areas of jurisdiction.
“It is important that all government institutions collaborate together towards a common goal for the benefit Somalia.”
