British Trade Advocacy Fund supports SLND in trade talks with Ethiopia

[ramzy2277]

TAF supports Government of Somaliland in key trade talks with neighbouring Ethiopia

February 24th, 2016 by sara trewhitt

Since 2013, TAF has been provided advisory support to the Government of Somaliland (GoSL); the key focus has been to aid the Government in its bilateral negotiations with key strategic trading partner neighbour Ethiopia. To this end, recent TAF work has been concentrated on helping the Government develop a draft Trade and Transit Agreement to negotiate with Ethiopia and which would build on an earlier 2005 Transit agreement.

TAF has funded capacity development sessions with GoSL staff to help them gain the skills to better understand trade policy development, both in the regional and global context, and gain advocacy skills for use in talks with Ethiopia. The initial training session in December 2015 centred on Trade in Services and why this is important to Somaliland’s economic growth and included simulation activities which allowed the 16 participants gain experience in negotiating mock agreements. Further trainings in February 2016 addressed Trade, Transit & Trade Facilitation processes, and included sessions on how Somaliland can address barriers to transport through regional and international instruments; 18 GoSL officials attended these sessions. A three-person Somaliland delegation participated in the WTO 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi with TAF support, receiving coaching and support over the course of the meetings and gaining deeper insight into the WTO and the accession process. TAF funding has also enabled the development of several pieces of analytical work for the Somaliland government, including an assessment of the impact on Somaliland of implementing a revised transit and trade agreement.

Ethiopia and Somaliland are expected to resume negotiations over the draft Trade & Transit Agreement imminently, using the draft agreement developed with TAF support as a basis for talks. TAF support in Somaliland is provided via World Trade Institute Advisors (WTIA).

Posted in TAF News


About TAF:



The Trade Advocacy Fund offers short-term support to the poorest developing countries to help them to engage in crucial trade negotiations. TAF support will be available to governments from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low Income Countries (LICs), Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), and their representative membership organisations (e.g. Regional Economic Communities).

The Trade Advocacy Fund provides:

Independent technical and legal advice to ensure that delegates can access high-quality information as they prepare for key talks
Targeted training and capacity-building for developing country officials to ensure they have the technical and legal skills they need to bring real negotiating power to the table.
Logistical support to ensure countries can engage in key negotiations which will impact on their future.

[JSL3000]

Sounds good.

[AwRastaale]

That's good that Somaliland hired an expert to help them break a deal with Ethiopia and whoever wins port operations. This step means now both countries not only have third party facilitators. That's always important especially in a sensitive region where mistrust and paranoia grips the general population.

All these things mean finally Berbera corridor is getting closer and closer. Thanks to President Silanyo many things have been achieved while others have been given a huge boost.

If port comes to live, every Idoor, Samaron Saciid and loyal Hartis could be millionaires (given that we distribute the rewards and re-invent properly).

BTW, the new Commerce Minister, Eng. Hussein Adan Ige, is very articulate, well-informed and professional politician. He knows all the right words to say. Very convincing guy.

Someone give me the background info on Hussein Adan. I have seen his pictures million times. I believe he used to be a writer/columnist before he was promoted. I personally think I have published his views. He seems very very familiar with his Hindi hair



Silanyo got Hussein in the right portfolio.

Confirm.

[original dervish]

[Rambie]

[theyuusuf143]

Hussein deyr was pro silanyo writer/columnist. that's why he became silanyo's personal spokesperson before he promoted to the rank of minister. I agree with you He has the capacity to deal with foreign trade companies, though I believe Dr Omar beenaale was good at this field.