There are massive investment opportunities in Somalia - Deepak Kuntawala

[Chimera]

Personally most of this article disgusts me, because this reeks of the agricultural colony scam plaguing most of Africa, which had not yet reached Somalia due to the civil-strife. These characters want to cultivate Somali soil and then sell the harvest back to the Somali people (probably at a higher price than Mahad from Afgoye, or Hamdi from the Jubbas), how freaking absurd is that?

 

The Federal government must make it clear that agriculture is a national security issue, and no lands the size of European countries can be sold. (this was part of the old constitution, I wonder if that clause is still there?)

 

Somalia fund aims to ‘rebuild a nation’

 

By Steve Johnson

 

A UK private equity and commodity trading boutique is seeking to raise a $1bn fund to invest in Somalia and neighbouring states such as Kenya and Malawi.

 

London-based DVK said it was already negotiating deals to supply foods such as rice, flour and edible oils to Somalia, which is slowly emerging from two decades of turmoil,

with part-payment in agricultural land that the fund can cultivate.

:mad:

 

 

It is also looking at public-private partnerships to build roads, bridges, hospitals and schools, and opportunities to supply trucks as well as fund cargo aviation. “It is about rebuilding an entire nation,” said Deepak Kuntawala, founder of DVK, which currently manages $340m in agriculture and real estate funds.

 

He said the Luxembourg-domiciled, sharia-compliant DVK Africa Development fund had already received $330m of pledges. “There are massive investment opportunities [in Somalia]. People are fighting to get in,” added Mr Kuntawala, who said that

at an international aid conference in London earlier this month Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Somali president, was besieged by

200 business people

.

:eek:

 

DVK is also creating a separate East Africa Core Development fund, aimed more at private investors, particularly from the east African diaspora. -

FINANCIAL TIMES

[AfricaOwn]

Business is everything, and everything is business...really, all my ex-commerce students can cosign that.

[xabad]

I vehemently oppose those vultures and we ( somalis ) should make it clear to the FGS in no uncertain terms against permitting such diabolical schemes in our country, period. this same shidh is destroying congo :mad::mad:

[Tallaabo]

SOMALI RESOURCES FOR THE SOMALI PEOPLE. Keep the thieves in suits out. Somalis through out their peace-time history cultivated their own land and fed their own population so I see no reason we should change that tradition and let in commercial colonists.

[GaraadMon]

What is it with Somali entrepreneurs and their cowardice? Why are many Somalis involved in many industries throughout the continent, but seem to fear investing their wealth in their own country? I wouldn't refer to others as cowards if it weren't for the fact that non-Somalis seem to be falling over themselves to fill in the gaps.

 

Lol at Malawi being a neighbouring state of Somalia.

[nuune]

with part-payment in agricultural land that the fund can cultivate.

Chimera, don't worry brother, I don't think any sane Somali living around Afgooye, Jamaame, Jilib and Bu'aale will allow this to happen even if the Somali government agrees to give land to the mentioned companies, kulahaa supply food, and the food will be farmed in Somalia, this is the motherr of all tuugnimo.

[AfricaOwn]

Blackflash;952232 wrote:

What is it with Somali entrepreneurs and their cowardice? Why are many Somalis involved in many industries throughout the continent, but seem to fear investing their wealth in their own country? I wouldn't refer to others as cowards if it weren't for the fact that non-Somalis seem to be falling over themselves to fill in the gaps.

 

Lol at Malawi being a neighbouring state of Somalia.

As business person would you invest in a risky market (no insurance, law of the jungle) like in Somalia today? There is a good chance their investment could plunge into the water...These guys are business folks first before they're Somali.

[GaraadMon]

AfricaOwn;952245 wrote:

As business person would you invest in a risky market (no insurance, law of the jungle) like in Somalia today? There is a good chance their investment could plunge into the water...These guys are business folks first before they're Somali.

True, but why are non-Somalis more willing to take the plunge in business outside the hospitality sector, when the Somali business persons likely have more connections and a better understanding of local/regional politics?

[Chimera]

nuune;952237 wrote:

Chimera, don't worry brother, I don't think any sane Somali living around Afgooye, Jamaame, Jilib and Bu'aale will allow this to happen even if the Somali government agrees to give land to the mentioned companies, kulahaa supply food, and the food will be farmed in Somalia, this is the motherr of all tuugnimo.

Indeed, the below must never happen in Somalia:

 

[Tallaabo]

Lol Djibouti is involved in the land grab. It has leased land in Malawi:cool:

[AfricaOwn]

Blackflash;952247 wrote:

True, but why are non-Somalis more willing to take the plunge in business outside the hospitality sector, when the Somali business persons likely have more connections and a better understanding of local/regional politics?

They probably have risk capital, funds for high-risk, high reward investments and the average Somali business man simply just can't compete with.

 

Having extra money to play with makes you very curious in business.

[Taleexi]

Quite contrary if Somalia stays as fractured nation as it is, it is not that far of up until each clan cosign venture foreign nationals.

[Chimera]

Taleexi;952261 wrote:

Quite contrary if Somalia stays as fractured nation as it is, it is not that far of up until each clan cosign venture foreign nationals.

Nuune, the above post by Taleexi is another side of the flawed "Somali character" we must not forget. Deepak, with his billion dollar fund could spare a few suitcases filled with dollars to buy up the petty illiterate chieftains for his end goals. I count on the Federal Government and organisations such as EAEF (or its future agricultural equivalent) to block any such deal.

[nuune]

Taleexi is right on that, some land owners will be working behind closed doors with foreign companies, but it will be an ugly scenario to witness, this is where the clan system will fail and new competition on land grab and give will start to flourish, who is gona get the most foreigners will be the main ugly phrase.

[AfricaOwn]

Foreign companies making deals behind doors with land owners? Disregarding insurers being reluctant to provide coverage for vessels /airplanes to import and export goods around?