Turkey to help Somalia revive factories

Turkey is considering helping Somalia revive industries destroyed by years of civil strife, officials said.

According to the government broadcaster, Radiyo Muqdisho, the revival of the industries was top on the agenda at a meeting between the Somali Commercial Attache’ in Turkey, Mr Yusuf Ahmed Hassan alias Jego, and the Chief Executive Officer of Ankara Industry Chamber (ASO), Mr Nurettin Ozdebir, in Ankara, on Tuesday.

The station reported that the two sides exchanged views on commerce and development of bilateral relations.

Mr Hassan gave the Turkish business officials a report on trade and industry in Somalia, putting emphasis on the increasing commercial relations between the two countries.

“The Somali official also reported on the industrial complex the country lost during the civil war,” reported the state broadcaster in Mogadishu.

The factories include the processors of meat, sugar and cement.

Following the meeting, it is expected that a high level Ankara Industry Chamber delegation will visit Somalia to assess the viability of investments, according to Mr Hassan.

The meeting was also attended by ASO Chair of Research and International Relations Suat Balaban.