Somalia says ties with China growing

Mogadishu, Aug.31, 2013 (SDN)-Somalia says its relations with China is growing following a week-long official visit by the country’s foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf as she returned to the capital Mogadishu on Friday. Fawzia, who is also deputy prime minister, said she met with top Chinese officials to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

“We share historic relations with China and that relationship is growing for the benefit of both of our nations,” said Fawzia after she arrived at the International Airport in Mogadishu.

Somalia said it wanted China to assist in its reconstruction as the horn of Africa nation is reeling from more than two decades of civil conflict which left the country’s state infrastructure in ruins.

Speaking to Xinhua earlier this week, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Nur Gaal said the Somali government attaches great importance to its relations with China.

The Somali government invites the Chinese government and companies to invest in the country as the East African country is witnessing a relative stability for the past two years, Gaal said.

“Now that the country is stabilizing, the development needs particularly in institution building and in infrastructure and social services gain great prominence and these are the areas where China can play a greater role,” said Gaal.

“We also welcome investments from China as we make the regulatory preparation to pave the way for foreign investment in Somalia,” he added.

Source: Xinhua