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When I was reading through the recent news that the Somaliland Government is trying to make Secondary and Primary education free I realised that Somaliland has come far since 1991 but alsot that is has still a far way to go.

This story (free education) of such hope, optimism and determinationcame was quite refreshing and awakening. It shows that Somaliland is now on a new level of development and that this new Government is making serious effort to achieve tangible progress; which even if it does not succeed it is good to know that they are setting their aims high. A problem is however that there are simply not enough jobs for all potential students who graduate from their schools. Also the skills they are taught, in addition to being academic, should in some ways also be applicable in the economic environment in which they live i.e. what they are taught should be relevant.

The second and more important part highlights that Somaliland has yet far to travel to achieve its objectives. In particular the following issues need to be adressed:

- The health sector (grossly undeveloped, unregulated and unsupervised)
- Infrastructure (roads, reliable energy, airports, ports)
It seems a clear and detailed plan of how the required costs will be financed is lacking

- Outstanding security and border issues
- Environmental issues (deforestation, overgrazing, drought, flooding, water scarcity, charcoal trade)
- An economic development and job creation plan;

Regional development plans, economic inegration of the country ,diversifying the economy from dependency on one sector, feasible job creation plan through labour intensive industries, a framework in which investment can be drawn from the diaspora; productive use of remittance money, increasing exports, encouraging the exporting/domestic diversification of successful companies/sectors, supervising competition, capitalising on by-products of certain industries e.g. Livestock (hides and skins; leather goods, milk; cheese; butter (domestic & export), legislation & judicial transparency and effectiveness + information provision to safeguard investment, import substitution to reduce inflationary affects of price variations, policy to enourage consumption of domestically produced goods.

The diapora is in a unique place to contribute massively; they (collectively) have significant financial resources, knowledge, connections, experiences and could be the catalyst our country so desperately needs.

It is all about planning!

So how does everyon think is the best way to adress these issues and is the right approach being taken currently.

Juzme,

This is interesting topic indeed.

Somaliland needs a serious national planning and local tailored targets whilst, aligning its self to the strategic global goals.

My suggestion is to initially carry out regional needs assessment and find out the regional needs via focus group discussions in district level, to draw out and tease out local priority, at the same time subsequently set a national target. This leads to national development framework agreed by all sectors and every ministry needs to deliver its work based on this agenda.

However, there are anecdotal evidence and sporadic pieces of research which indicate the following issues;
- Environmental health issues
- Education and training
- Economics and Employment
- etc

In terms of diaspora support i think when we are sure of what we want and how we want it then the diaspora community can be mobilised and activitiated to support the agenda.

Excellent topic, we should have more of these constructive topics and less of the qabil orientated and decisive topics..

The question is where do we begin, it's clear all the major sectors are extremely under developed and in need of a major upgrade...I will come back to this topic later today and contribute some of my ideas...

juzme123 wrote:
The diapora is in a unique place to contribute massively; they (collectively) have significant financial resources, knowledge, connections, experiences and could be the catalyst our country so desperately needs.

It is all about planning!

So how does everyon think is the best way to adress these issues and is the right approach being taken currently.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Diaspora is in a unique position to contribute and make a difference and I recommend the following:

We set up a "Voluntery Services to Somaliland " (VSS) very similar to that of the VSO in the UK but ofcourse VSS will be focusing in Somaliland. S/L Professionals and technocrats young and old will be able to register and volunteer their time over seas (Somaliland). An office in Somaliland will be set up to co-ordinate the volunteers. The different government departments will work with the VSS office in Somaliland & over seas offices to identify priority needs. For example Minsitry of Health might request nurses/radiologists etc in which case VSS will work towards recruiting volunteers over seas and match them to areas of greatest need. Volunteers will pay for their own flight ticket & maybe the Somaliland government can work towards covering food and accommodation expenses during their stay if they don't have any family members in the area.

A set up like this benefits all the different parties ;the government will have qualified professionals working for them on a voluntary bases!. The volunteers will be benefiting knowing that they are contributing to the development and well being of their country and for those younger professionals the cultural/dhaqan experience I am sure will be priceless! If we put our heads together we can come up with amazing things...

Let the ideas flow ppl..

Madelina wrote:
We set up a "Voluntery Services to Somaliland " (VSS) very similar to that of the VSO in the UK but ofcourse VSS will be focusing in Somaliland. S/L Professionals and technocrats young and old will be able to register and volunteer their time over seas (Somaliland). An office in Somaliland will be set up to co-ordinate the volunteers. The different government departments will work with the VSS office in Somaliland & over seas offices to identify priority needs. For example Minsitry of Health might request nurses/radiologists etc in which case VSS will work towards recruiting volunteers over seas and match them to areas of greatest need. Volunteers will pay for their own flight ticket & maybe the Somaliland government can work towards covering food and accommodation expenses during their stay if they don't have any family members in the area.

A set up like this benefits all the different parties ;the government will have qualified professionals working for them on a voluntary bases!. The volunteers will be benefiting knowing that they are contributing to the development and well being of their country and for those younger professionals the cultural/dhaqan experience I am sure will be priceless! If we put our heads together we can come up with amazing things...

Let the ideas flow ppl..

Madelina walaal, first of all thanks for your contribution. I think what you have said is a good idea and particularly good for meeting short term needs but there is also a need for a long term, sutainable and self-sufficient strategy/solution. I would add that these volunteers create and teach at educational institutions that can train/provide people with such skills for the country on a continues basis; these skilled people then need to be retained within the country with satisfactory pay/oppertunities; obviously this is going to require funding and that is why the private sector is also important.

Personally I am more Business oriented (business is my field) and will talk more about the private sector. The private sector is what should earn govenrment tax revenue to fund such projects and therfore there needs to be an investment in and an enhancement of the private sector; this enhancement and investment must come from the diaspora and foreign direct investment from overseas (countries and companies). To allow this there need to be several things:

- A framework in which the diaspora can contribute tangibly. So that they know exactly what needs to be done, what they can contribute and there is a clear way for them to do so.

This is where what you said comes in. This includes a clear structures policy and scheme; for the diapora it is all about (useful) information provision and transparency (from the government); this movement needs leadership i.e. an appionted person who works with and brings together all government ministries and public interest groups (e.g. ministry of diapora mobilisation. Using the diapora and government representatives in different countries to realise export/business oppertunties in the various countries that our diapora resides.

- Information provision on what business oppertunities there are, what industries have potential etc. Both to the diapora and countries, companies that could potentially invest. If you had invested on Somaliland 20 years ago or started a business then, it coul still be up and running today and you could have made profits; the point is that Somaliland is open for business.The focus should especially be on labour intensive, export oriented and import substitution industries

- An policital, legal and security environment conducive to business. In order for the diapora to come and invest tangibly, there needs to be:

- A legal framework, judicial independence, accountability and effectiveness and NO corruption so that investors know that (1) their investments are protected and (2) they can enforce contracts. Security, both on a (macro) national military level and more micro level e.g. petty crime, theft burglary, personal injury. Also reduced corruption and increases capability for government revenue (tax) collection.

- The diapora has collective financial power. By pooling their money they can invets in large sums and create large industries. Investment CO-OPS. Imangine a hundred people bringing together 5000 (£, $ euro) = 500,000 (with a contract to safeguard their investments). It could be more people (200, 300) or larger sums (10,000).

- these people can be supported by experts in business, accounting, consultants, economists, marketing i.e. part of the education people that come to the country through that scheme (as above). This is to (a) increase the likely success of the business ventures and (b) grow these businesses in the long term to multinational corporations.

- I admit this is an ambitious idea but I think you have to be. It emphasize it is along term plan.

- As these businesses increase and grow hopefully so will the tax revenue of the government and obviously there needs ot be good managment of how this money is spent and there needs to be a strategic and comprehensive economic plan.

it is all about planning.

I'm in the process of writing an extensive article to put forth my view of how Somaliland's economy should be developed and I will be sure to post it when it's finished.

Juzme, unfortunately I am not business minded I look at things from the humanitarian aspects because that's how I'm wired to think. You have explained things very well and I see how everything is linked, without the private sector and investors our government will never be self sufficient & thus will not be able to provide for the basic needs...I get it .

Did you know that "Somaliland Presidential Advisor on Economy, Commerce and Investments" has a Facebook and is requesting for inputs etc. ..Maybe you should share some of your ideas & suggestions with him and see what happens next....I look forward to your article.