Mogadishu  – The United Nations unveiled a training programme on business opportunities for Somali entrepreneurs at a seminar in Mogadishu.

The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) in-conjunction with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) on Saturday briefed at least 30 business owners on available business opportunities within the United Nations.

The half-day seminar held in Mogadishu also provided the business owners with tips on how to do business with the UN.

“I thank the UN for the much-needed seminar for our business people. Our business people have been frustrated because of lack of know-how on how to register with UN agencies. And there was a myth about UN not wanting business people to take part. Today, I think they have solved that issue. From there, UN and our Chamber of Commerce can work together,” said business owner Mr. Hashim Duale.  

The Director of UNSOS Amadu Kamara reassured the private sector  in Somalia of the UN’s readiness to do business with local companies.

“Part of our objective as well is to engage as many Somali companies as possible in this initiative because it creates employment as part of the capacity building that is integral to the recovery of the country. One of the most vibrant aspects of Somali society is the commercial industry.  By and large, the private sector has been very successful, operating across clan lines, geographical locations,” noted Mr. Kamara in an interview on the sidelines of the seminar.

The Federal Minister of Commerce and Industry, Eng. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed represented the Federal Government of Somalia. The minister said, “I would like to encourage the UN to continue supporting local companies; and call on local companies to respect the processes and procedures in place and to register with the Ministry of Commerce. From our side (Government), we will facilitate.”

The Chairman of the Somali National Chamber of Commerce Mohamud Abdi Ali echoed the minister’s sentiments. “If we Somalis succeed in getting the UN contracts, we will employ fresh graduates, whom the International Labour Organisation is helping to train,” he said.

Ms. Fouzia Abass, the Chief of the UN Support Base in Mombasa, noted that Somali-registered companies had done business worth US$18 million with the United Nations since 2014. She singled out a lack of knowledge on how to do business with the UN as the biggest challenge facing many Somali business owners. Ms. Abass encouraged local companies to register with the UN Global Marketplace database to stay abreast of procurement opportunities.