Somalia, Qatar ink multi-million dollar projects

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia and Qatar governments have signed on Tuesday a multi-million agreement on the financing of Qatar-aided projects in the East African nation, Garowe Online reports.

The development projects deal with a total funding of 200 million U.S. dollars were signed in Mogadishu, Nov 28 by and Jamal Mohammed Hassan, Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development and Director General of the Qatar Development Fund (QDF) Khalifa bin Jassem Al-Kuwari, representing Qatar.

Speaking at a joint press conference on Tuesday, Hassan said he has inked the bilateral agreement on behalf of the Somali government with Qatar which focuses on infrastructure, Education, and job creation projects.

Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, government Ministers and high-ranking officials from the two countries were present and witnessed the signing ceremony.

The new projects, including building the two highways connecting Mogadishu to nearby Afgoye and Jowhar while the rest will be implemented across the country, according to the Planning Minister.

This came days after President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and held bilateral talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Qatar has come up with a new strategy to boost relations with Somalia since Saudi-UAE led Arab Alliance cut off diplomatic ties with Doha on June 5, and imposed Air, Sea and land blockade on the Gulf country.

Somalia took a neutral position on the GCC crises, a decision that was disagreed by some Federal member states, including Puntland, Southwest which sided with Saudi and UAE against Qatar.

Fahad Yasin, the Chief of Staff of Villa Somalia, the state house, who is a close ally to Qatar was reported to be pushing the President to remain on the current neutrality towards the Gulf Crises.

GAROWE ONLINE