The arrival of a delegation from Somaliland on July 30 was met with genuine enthusiasm by the government and people of Taiwan, a testament to the growing friendship between the two nations. Led by our own Minister of Trade and Tourism, Mohamoud Hassan Saad, the delegation included officials from our ministries and the Berbera Economic Zone, along with representatives from international businesses based in Somaliland.
During their five-day visit, our delegation engaged in significant activities aimed at strengthening our relationship with Taiwan. This included meetings with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and a banquet hosted by Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui. A pivotal moment was the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) that seeks to boost our bilateral commercial and trade relationships, marking the first trade pact between Somaliland and Taiwan. The MOU was signed with Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua.
In Taipei City, our delegation visited a range of organizations, including the Taiwan-Africa Business Association, the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei, and the Farglory Free Trade Zone in Taoyuan City. They also toured the Kaohsiung branch of the Export Processing Zone Administration in the southern metropolis.
This visit is a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan. Our nations have been steadily deepening cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, education, energy and mining, and medical care, since establishing mutual representative offices in 2020.
Minister Mohamoud Hassan Saad’s visit to Taiwan holds special significance as it marks the first ministerial-level visit by a Somaliland official to Taiwan since Foreign Minister Essa Kayd Mohamoud’s visit in February 2022.
It’s important to note that Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated as a de facto state. Despite the lack of diplomatic recognition from other countries, our partnership with Taiwan continues to flourish. This visit underscores our commitment to fostering mutual growth and collaboration, emphasizing the strong bonds and shared values that unite Somaliland and Taiwan.
