Vital ingredient missing from the agenda of the London Conference on Somalia
With all the mounting interest in the forthcoming London Conference on Somalia (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/somalia-conference/) it is regrettable that business and investment has been omitted from the agenda. The Horn of Africa Business Association (HABA) believes that this is a serious oversight and is indicative of the poverty of vision with regards to understanding and tackling some of the underlying challenges affecting both Somalia and its neighbours.
HABA recognizes the significant role that stimulating entrepreneurial and business activity can play in providing employment, economic security and hope. The current security and aid fixation of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development (DFID) and other players is causing a serious myopia in regards to Somalia and the Horn of Africa that HABA fears will ensure that few tangible benefits will result from the conference on 23th February.
HABA believes that with the Mr Matthew Baugh, the new British Ambassador to Somalia being relatively inexperienced, it will be essential that he invests considerable time and energy in mastering his brief. The fact that Ambassador Baugh is to be based in Nairobi rather than Mogadishu or Hargeisa does not exactly bode well.
Whatever the outcome of the London Conference on Somalia, HABA is committed to constructive engagement with the region, and will continue to facilitate business relationships with and within the Horn and the Greater Horn.
For further details contact:
Mark T Jones – Executive Director
E-mail: marktjones@ha-ba.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7727615774
www.ha-ba.com
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/
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