Gamal Mohamed Hassan, the Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Federal Government of Somalia, participated in the High-Level Horn of Africa Regional Dialogue (Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue) held in Jigjiga. The forum brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across the Horn of Africa to discuss the future of regional cooperation, stability, and economic development.
In his speech at the forum, the minister emphasized the importance of building genuine regional cooperation based on economic realities and shared interests. He noted that lasting peace and shared prosperity in the Horn of Africa cannot be achieved without strengthening regional economic integration, trade, and infrastructure connectivity.
The minister highlighted that the Horn of Africa possesses enormous economic and strategic potential. However, challenges such as trade fragmentation, border barriers, and the lack of coordinated infrastructure planning have limited the region’s development opportunities.
Three Key Priorities Highlighted by the Minister
- Reducing Trade Fragmentation
The minister stressed the importance of simplifying border procedures and regulations in order to accelerate trade among countries in the region. He stated that there is a need to harmonize trade support systems and frameworks so that traders can move goods and services more easily across neighboring countries.
He also pointed out that reducing trade barriers would boost investment, productivity, and overall economic growth throughout the region.
- Transforming Border Areas into Engines of Economic Growth
Mr. Gamal Mohamed Hassan stated that there is a need to move beyond viewing border regions solely through a security lens. He called for border areas to be recognized as important economic opportunities and developed into vibrant commercial hubs supported by modern infrastructure and active trade systems.
He added that, if managed effectively, border regions could become centers that connect communities, businesses, and economies across the Horn of Africa.
- Coordinating Regional Infrastructure Planning
The minister also emphasized the importance of coordinated planning for ports, roads, energy networks, and digital infrastructure across the region. He explained that such infrastructure should not be designed solely around narrow national interests, but rather to strengthen regional connectivity and collective development throughout the Horn of Africa.
He noted that meaningful cooperation in economic infrastructure would improve the movement of goods and services while also creating employment opportunities across the region.
Regional Cooperation for Stability and Development
In concluding his remarks, the minister stated that implementing this type of cooperation would significantly strengthen regional integration, productive capacity, and mutual trust among the peoples of the Horn of Africa. He called on regional governments to prioritize sustainable economic cooperation as a pathway toward political stability and social development.
The High-Level Horn of Africa Regional Dialogue is regarded as an important platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation among countries in the region, particularly at a time when the Horn of Africa faces challenges related to security, economic development, and global transformations.