|
Borama, Somaliland, January 30, 2010 (SL Times) – A factory called “Aloe
East African Factory)” was inaugurated Thursday. The factory will
produce human hygiene items as well as home supplies. The opening
ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry, Mr. Ahmed Ali Ubahle,
the Minister of Planning, Mr. Ali Ibrahim Muhammad (Ali Sanyare), the
Minister of Information, Ahmed Haji Dahir, Awdal region government
officials, Sultans, businessmen, and a representative of Amoud
Foundation.
The Minister of Industry, Mr. Ahmed Ali Ubahle, thanked the people and
officials of Awdal region for establishing the factory. He said this is
the 46th factory that was opened in Somaliland, but out of those
factories only 15 are functioning. He praised the owners of the factory
for their initiative and pledged that his government will support their
efforts.
The Minister of Planning, Mr. Ali Ibrahim Muhammad (Ali Sanyare)
highlighted the benefits that the country will derive from this factory
in that it will not only provide employment to some people and become a
source of tax revenues for the government, but it will also use local
products. Praising the people of Borama for lifting the level of
knowledge in Somaliland, the minister said, “for fourty years
Somaliland’s educated people poured into what used to be called Somalia,
after that Somaliland’s educated class moved to the Gulf countries until
it got to the point where it became difficult to find even teachers in
Somaliland, but now thanks to the efforts of the people of Borama, both
education and technology are being re-established in Somaliland.”
The Minister of Information, Ahmed Haji Dahir, said since he is
originally from Awdal, he is particularly happy that the first factory
was opened in Awdal and he is hopeful that others will follow. He said
it is not easy to open a factory, and when he was first told about it,
he thought the idea was far-fetched. The Minister of Information added
that he did not come to Borama to talk politics but to talk about
progress in knowledge and skills. He then added that people should
direct their energies to positive endeavors rather than wasting their
time on nonsense.
The Governor of Awdal region, Mr. Muhammad Sheikh Abdillahi talked about
the products of the factory and made it clear that they will surpass
imported ones.
Muhammad Abdillahi Yonis (Talyaani) addressed how he got the idea of
establishing this factory and the challenges he faced.
Speaking in the name of businessmen, Ismail Riiraash stressed the need
for businessmen to invest in the country and promised that the
businessmen will buy the products of this factory.
Abdi Dahir Ali, a representative of Amoud Foundation noted that this is
a beginning and there will be better days ahead.
The Sultans, representatives of women's organizations, and private
businesses all thanked and welcomed the people behind this factory.
|
|
