Puntland And Djibouti Sign A Business Deal

Mogadishu, March 08, 2007 – The vice president of the Somalia’s semiautonomous regional government of Puntland, representing his state has had business deal with Djibouti on Friday.

Hassan Dahir Afqura, told the press Friday that Puntland and Djibouti signed a trade deal. “Puntland and Djibouti will have different trade relations as I officially announce before you , the press, today the two states have signed a business deal,” he said.

Afqura pointed out that the livestock exported from Basaso seaport in Puntland would undergo Djibouti’s Jabal Ali Company, which controls Djibouti seaport.

Although the deal would affect many Somali traders from southern Somalia who were in business relations with Puntland, sources close to Puntland said Djibouti would play a crucial role in checking the health status of the animals exported from Somalia to Emirates.

Countries that imported Somalia’s livestock banned Somalia’s farm animals after they were detected with diseases many times in the past. Countries, which are much interested in Somalia’s farm animals, are Saudi Arabia, Emirates and others.

Somalia has had no affective central government since 1991 when warlords toppled former president, Siyad Barre.

Source: SHMN