LONDON, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The CEO of
Dahabshiil, Somalia's largest private sector employer, has called
for the international community to help unlock the potential of
social entrepreneurship in the region, so it can stage its own
recovery from issues that have plagued it for more than 20
years.
Speaking ahead of the London Somalia Conference, to be chaired by
British Prime Minister David Cameron, Abdirashid Duale, CEO of
Dahabshiil, Africa's largest money transfer business, said:
"Somalis have high hopes that the international community will
develop a concrete plan to improve the region's future.
"The key to unlocking Somalia's potential is international
investment in social entrepreneurship and education. It will help
Somalis help themselves by teaching them how to create new business
opportunities, more jobs and a more sustainable economy. These
practical alternatives will protect vulnerable Somalis,
particularly younger generations, from the pressure put on them by
extremist groups linked to piracy and terrorism.
"As the Somali proverb goes 'the worst man is he who never sows,
never consults and never economises', meaning that our communities
most value those that use their minds or assets to help themselves
and others."
The conference, organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
will be attended by more than 40 governments and international
organisations, including the United Nations, African Union,
European Union and the World Bank. Somali officials, including the
Presidents of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),
Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug and Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaah will also
be in attendance.
To be held at Lancaster House on 23 February, the conference aims
to deliver commitment and coordination for a new international
approach to tackle Somalia's problems of terrorism, piracy, food
shortage and the political vacuum affecting the region.
Addressing an audience of Somalis at Chatham House recently, UK
Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was confident the
conference would mark a turning point by "putting the needs of
Somalis front and centre." Hague also emphasised that solutions
must be Somali-led. "We can help get Somalia on its feet - we
cannot do the running for it", he said.
Mr Duale added: "The conference addresses issues that are highly
political, but if the Somali region is to be rehabilitated, then
its business community - domestic and international - must be
central to any agreed plan. Diaspora-led businesses in Somalia play
a crucial role in bringing expertise and investment to the private
sector.
"Those Somalis with the most at stake, who understand the many
complex issues first-hand, tend to be those who live and work
within the region. In pursuit of sustainable development, stability
and effective government, multi-lateral organisations such as the
African Union, UN, EU and World Bank need to find ways to help
these various groups play to their strengths."
Dahabshiil, which handles the majority of the $1.6bn remitted to
Somalia by its diaspora, has a long history of partnership with
international organisations, supporting development initiatives and
providing financial services to 95% of NGOs operating there.
Dahabshiil Group spans money transfer, banking and telecoms, and
employs around 5,000 people within Somalia itself, across regional
and clan lines.
As part of a wide-ranging corporate social responsibility programme
financed by 5% of its annual profits, the company funds the main
hospital in Mogadishu and is a major donor to healthcare programmes
throughout the Horn of Africa. At the height of last year's
drought, Dahabshiil donated over US$200,000 to the relief effort
and called for other businesses to follow suit. The firm
contributes to infrastructure projects and makes regular donations
of cash and equipment to schools and universities throughout the
region.
Mr Duale believes that alongside business growth it is imperative
that Somalis have access to a good education. He said: "There are
now ten universities in Hargeisa and an increasing number of young
people are choosing to pursue further education within the Somali
regions instead of leaving. It is vital that we, alongside the
international community, continue to make strenuous efforts in
education as it will play a vital role in the development of a
sustainable economy."
It is increasingly recognised that the Somali youth represent a
great challenge both in the diaspora and in the region itself. The
international community has already stepped-up its efforts to
engage disenfranchised young Somalis in the UK, Mogadishu and
elsewhere, with part-government funded organisations such as the
London Somali Youth Forum playing a particularly active role.
Referring to recent actions of a Minnesota bank in the US, which
stopped money transfers to Somalia in fear of prosecution under US
anti-terror laws, Mr Duale expressed his concern for those who rely
heavily on remittances to survive.
He said: "Annual remittances to the Somali region are greater than
funding from international aid. The flow of financial and human
resources between the diaspora and the domestic population is
crucial to sustained development, and the international community
should not obstruct the efforts of Somalis to help themselves,
whether it's by sending money or by travelling to and from the
region."
Following the global media's recent focus on the international
impact of piracy and terrorism, Mr Duale was keen to highlight the
effect on day-to-day business in the region itself.
"The threat of piracy and insurgent groups translate to increased
business costs, such as insurance, shipping and internal security
for firms trying to operate in these areas. Greater stability and
continuity in the Somali government is a prerequisite to any long
term solution. The conference must lay the foundations for this, as
businesses are currently at the mercy of the government's
constantly changing nature and its lack of effective
authority."
Looking ahead, Mr Duale believes that to secure a brighter future
for all Somalis it is imperative the international community help
to build better infrastructure - citing roads and hospitals as
necessary sources of investment. He also believes that Somalia
would benefit from greater UN involvement, including closer
collaboration with the private sector and greater investment from
Turkey, the Middle East and other members of The Arab League.
Mr Duale also welcomed the recent aid from international donors,
but said further humanitarian support is still required.
SOURCE﹛Dahabshiil