By Goth Mohamed Goth
H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo today received the French mission in Kenya Ambassador Reimi Marechaux and a high level delegation consisting of representatives of the Bolloré Logistics.
Somaliland Minister of Information Hon Osman Abdullah Saharadid Cadaan speaking during a joint press conference moments after the meeting said, “President Silanyo and French ambassador held lengthy discussions in which they explored ways to enhance future bilateral relation between the Somaliland and the republic of France.
French ambassador speaking during the press conference said, “I am pleased to be back here in Hargeisa Bolloré Logistics , this being my second time in Somaliland , we had a very fruitful mission here which lasted for four days together with the large delegation , mainly focused on economic and cultural matters , as you know , has being very keen on investing in the port of Berbera . So we had a working session with several ministers and we made progress on that matter.
We also had the opportunity to visit Berbera by road and on the way we visited the SBI Coca Cola factory which was partly an investment supported by the French development Agency and we plan to provide funds to expand the project.
As, I told you, our visit had an important cultural component, we also had the chance to visit the Las Geel prehistoric site; we want to resume work in the site and also to work with the government of Somaliland to preserve and better protect the Las Geel site and we shall also lobby together in order to have the site listed as world heritage site.
“Apart from our economic interests in Somaliland from French companies, the government of France intends to enhance Cultural exchange such as promoting the French language and culture , we had several meetings with Madam Edan Aden on the best way to proceed on the matter.