Ethiopia will divert 20% of its trade through Berbera

[Suldaanka]

Ethiopia and Somaliland had concluded a deal in which Ethiopia will use the deep sea port of Berbera for its imports and exports.

 

Ethiopia which currently utilises the Djibouti port for 80% of its import and export trade, will divert 20% of that through Berbera.

 

 

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Ethiopia, Somaliland sign Red Sea port, trade deal

 

Sun May 29, 2005 2:11 PM GMT+02:00

By Hussein Ali Nur

 

HARGEISA, Somalia (Reuters) - Landlocked Ethiopia will use the Red Sea port of Berbera in the self-declared enclave of Somaliland to import fuel and goods, officials said on Sunday.

 

A deal, which goes into effect on July 1, closed out a four-day trade mission led by Ethiopian Revenue Minister Getachew Belay.

 

The delegation assessed the port, on the Gulf of Aden in northwestern Somalia, its oil terminal and the roads to Ethiopia's remote eastern regions along the Somali border.

 

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has been a relatively stable enclave, which held its first multiparty election in 2003. It is not recognised internationally.

 

The rest of Somalia has had no central authority since the ousting of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and has been devastated by warlords and their militias.

 

"Somaliland is at peace with itself. That means it also has peace with its neighbours," a state of affairs conducive to trade, Getachew said after the deal was signed on Saturday.

 

Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister Edna Aden Ismail told reporters on Sunday the port and roads will need upgrading to accommodate the increased trade.

 

Somaliland and Ethiopia will jointly approach donors for financial aid, Ismail said.

 

The two legalised bilateral trade in August 2003, established customs posts and agreed to improve road links.

 

Trade between the two countries is mostly limited to the stimulant leaf qat, fruit and vegetables exported by Ethiopia and food and other commodities exported by Somaliland.

[Suldaanka]

Maandeeq Newspaper: Historic trade pact between Somaliland and Ethipia

 

A historic trade pact between the governments of the Republic of Somaliland and that of Ethiopia for the official use of the Berbera port facilities was signed yesterday in an executive ceremony at Maansoor Hotel. The occasion is definitely a milestone that brings the bilateral relations of the two countries to an even higher level.

 

This happened at the close of Ethiopian cabinet Ministers visit to the country in a follow-up to a prior agreement between H.E. Dahir Rayale Kahin and Premier Meles Zenawi.

 

They jetted out of the country yesterday.

 

Both states underscored the fact that the cementing up of the pact would go a long way to foster social, economical and political relations a cohesively new un-precedented height. Led by state Minister in charge of Infrastructure (Posts, Telecommunications and Transport) Hon. Haile Assegide and flanked by his colleague, Revenue Minister Hon. Getachew Belay, the Ethiopian delegation of eight had the opportunity to travel by road to Berbera. After viewing, sizing up and evaluating the port and its facilities, the satisfied delegation traveled with SL’s delegation all the way to Jigjiga, via Togwajale.

 

The pleased visitors appreciated the fact that Somaliland was a peaceful haven that lived humbly with its neighbours. Hon. Getachew remarked, “Somaliland is at peace with itself; so if it is in peace with itself, then it has peace with it’s neighbours.†Both states were in agreement to the fact that prosperity goes hand in hand with a peaceful environment. They urged members of both countries to make good use of the situation for the benefit of all.

 

Somaliland’s Finance Minister Hon. Hussein Ali Duale told the THT that customs, tariffs and associated duties are part of the issues in which they have been in agreement. Achnowledging that for the trade to fledge, it was imperative to expand the ports amenities to cater for the envisioned influx of activities such as parking bays and hotels. He stated that the execution of the pact will be in effect as of First of July.

Hon. Awil further disclosed that they met the Somali-inhabited Zone Five Regional President in Jigjiga who promised to visit this country soon. Said he, “ He was impressed by the development strides made by Somaliland and wanted to witness it together (with) a huge entourage .â€

 

Emphasizing that vehicles operated by both Ethiopians and Somalilanders will be involved, he pointed out that the Berbera port is capable of handling 20% of Ethiopian bulk of both imports and exports .

 

Foreign Minister Hon. Edna Adan Ismail underpinned the mutual benefits that will be derived from what she termed as “a memorandum of understanding good will for both sides and collaboration with our neighboursâ€.

 

From the accord, if is expected that the Ethiopians will step up efforts to complete the tarmacking of the Kala-bayd-Jigjiga road just as SL is expected to upgrade its part of what is now popularly known as the Berbera corridor. H.E. Rayaale treated them to a dinner at the State House on Saturday night.

 

The signatories to the pact yesterday were Messrs Ali Hor-hor and Selashi Getachew for SL and Ethiopia respectively. The later is his country’s chief customs Executive.

 

Seeing the delegation off were cabinet Ministers Hon. Awil (Finance), Hon. Edna (Foreign Affairs) Hon. Abdilahi Mohammed Duale (Information) Hon. Hassan Abdi Keire (Posts and Telecommunication) Hon. Nooh Sh. Noor (Commerce) and Hon. Mohammed Said Noor (state Minister for foreign Affairs). Also present was the Hargeisa City Mayor, Hussein Mohammud Jiir amongst other senior officials.

 

 

The Horn Tribune (THT)