Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland celebrated the 111th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with more than 150 distinguished guests including H.E. Abdulrahman Ismail Saylici, Vice President of Somaliland, Mministers, government officials, MPs, members from the business sector, academia, Diplomatic Corps and the media.
Representative Allen C. LOU emphasized that facing against the COVID-19 Pandemic, authoritarian expansion including China’s military intimidation and other globally challenges, the government and people of Taiwan have demonstrated the strength of national unity and the solidarity to stand with like-minded democratic countries, in result of achieving a positive economic growth, playing an indispensable role in global industrial supply chains, as well as gaining worldwide concerns and supports from international democratic communities including the US, EU and G7 countries.
LOU said Taiwan is not only Somaliland’s new friend, but also a good friend. Facing against the Covid-19 pandemic, severe drought, food insecurity and even Waaheen Market Fire in Somaliland this year, Taiwan timely provided 150,000 doses of Taiwanese-made MVC COVID-19 vaccines, immediate financial support for drought and Waaheen Market and 300 tons of rice to benefit people in need. In addition to the above-mentioned emergency and humanitarian assistances, Taiwan is proud to make contribution in Somaliland through numerous cooperation in areas that are fundamental to national development in agriculture, health care, ICT, and education, energy, business etc. Taiwan and Somaliland have not only deepened existing cooperation projects, but also widened cooperation projects to Health Information System (HIS) and dispatching Taiwan Medical Mission in Hargeisa Group Hospital this year in response of Somaliland Government development priorities.
In order to pave the foundation of the mutually beneficial economic and trade and investment cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland, both countries signed the Energy and Mineral Resource Cooperation Agreement in May 2022. Taiwan CPC is scheduled to establish an oversea branch company in Somaliland to partner with Genel Energy to explore oil drilling in Somaliland and business show and B2B Meeting are in scheduled to be held to explore the business opportunity in Hargeisa and the East Africa in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
LOU said Taiwan appreciated Somaliland Governmental and Parliament’s support for peace and stability of Taiwan Strait during China’s military exercise in August after USA Speaker Hon. Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, as well as supports for Taiwan’s participation in International Organizations such as WHO and ICAO etc.
Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Essa Kayd Mohamoud led a delegation to visit Taiwan in February this year, Foreign Minister Kayd impressed the world by saying that “We are born free and we will stay free”. We all cherish our way of life and the way we are doing our business. Democracies must unite with resilience jointly to safeguard the values of freedom.
The Vice President and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland echoed with high praises of the relations between Taiwan and Somaliland based on the shared value of peace, democracy and free market, they appreciated the Taiwan government’s timely humanitarian assistance as well as enhancing human capacity of Somalilanders through providing scholarships and implementing various cooperation projects.
In dedication to this 2-hour celebration of Taiwan National Day, the exhibition of cooperation projects from Taiwan ICDF and Taiwan Medical Team including vegetables from Taiwan Demo Farm in Somaliland were held to all the distinguished guests and calendars printed with photos of cooperation achievements between two countries and commemorative mugs were gifted to them as well, following with their praises and appreciations.
