By Adam Musse Jibril

HARGEISA, Somaliland, 20 July 2007 - The Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr. Juneydi Sado and his fourteen- member delegation who represent different government institutions is paying a five- day working visit to the Republic of Somaliland. Upon their arrival the delegation at the Hargeysa Egal International Airport on Thursday, July 19, the delegation was received by the Somaliland Minister of Public Works, Mr. Saied Sulub and the Minister of Fishery and Marine Resources Mr. Ali Korseef and other high level Somaliland government officials.

The purpose of the visit is to update and enhance the previous Ethio-Somaliland bilateral cooperation agreements which included the Berbera Corridor, issues that require due consideration of both sides, Somaliland marine products taxation privileges, Ethio-Somaliland trade promotion and facilities, joint road maintenance mechanisms, traffic road sign posts, provisions of electric interconnection and power supply arrangements, construction of 20km road of Kalabeydh-Wajaale, the setting up of a joint consultative committee and its future activities, and other issues.

During their trip to Somaliland the delegation will be visiting Berbera port to look into the port’s facilities for the Ethiopian business community, who is now enormously keen to use Berbera port. The delegation also expects the arrival of an Ethiopian Shipping Line vessel that is bringing 12000metric tons of cargo via Berbera.

Through their five days working visit, the Ethiopian delegation will discuss a wide spectrum of issues with the Somaliland officials of common interest to both parties.

Source: The Sub-Saharan Informer