WHILE there is talk of Somaliland's embryonic Port of Berbera as a threat to Djibouti, there is realistic hope it will climb to a 500,000-TEU capacity to move the impoverished nation's agriculture and livestock exports.
On the plus side, Taiwan, which is itself looking for international recognition, has been enthusiastic to interact with Somaliland.
With full Brexit approaching, the UK is interested and Somaliland wants to join the Commonwealth, though Britain does not recognise Somaliland as a state.
But like strife-torn Somaliland itself, 'there is no dedicated entity involved in policy-making for the ports,' according to the World Bank, reports the local news outlet, the SomTribune.
Despite announcing the creation of a Somaliland Port and Free Zone Authority, there decisions on its composition, as well as the relationship between the DP World Berbera board and the new port authority, are yet to be made.
Revenue from Berbera could be a big boost to the economy. Somaliland's current main sources of revenue are its agriculture and livestock exports (US$211.7 million in 2019) as well as remittances from its diaspora, estimated at $1.6 billion by the UN.
In 2018, the neighbouring Somali government tried to get the UN's help to prevent a UAE military presence in Berbera and also rejected the port deal. Since then, relations have improved, and Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has hosted talks between the two countries.
After Somalia's presidential elections, which are planned for February 8, talks between the Hargeisa and Mogadishu governments could continue on.
SeaNews Turkey
On the plus side, Taiwan, which is itself looking for international recognition, has been enthusiastic to interact with Somaliland.
With full Brexit approaching, the UK is interested and Somaliland wants to join the Commonwealth, though Britain does not recognise Somaliland as a state.
But like strife-torn Somaliland itself, 'there is no dedicated entity involved in policy-making for the ports,' according to the World Bank, reports the local news outlet, the SomTribune.
Despite announcing the creation of a Somaliland Port and Free Zone Authority, there decisions on its composition, as well as the relationship between the DP World Berbera board and the new port authority, are yet to be made.
Revenue from Berbera could be a big boost to the economy. Somaliland's current main sources of revenue are its agriculture and livestock exports (US$211.7 million in 2019) as well as remittances from its diaspora, estimated at $1.6 billion by the UN.
In 2018, the neighbouring Somali government tried to get the UN's help to prevent a UAE military presence in Berbera and also rejected the port deal. Since then, relations have improved, and Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh has hosted talks between the two countries.
After Somalia's presidential elections, which are planned for February 8, talks between the Hargeisa and Mogadishu governments could continue on.
SeaNews Turkey