Spanish developers in Djibouti for the construction of 40,000 social housing units Managers of a Spanish construction company, Espaforza SL, are currently staying in Djibouti and talk with several members of the Djiboutian government to build 40,000 social housing due to 5,000 per year in the country. The CEO of the company Espaforza SL Eduardo Padila, said in a press conference that his company was attracted by the comparative advantages of the Djibouti market economy, as well as tax incentives for investment and economic good health encourage foreign investment in the country. Mr. Padila also claimed that "the contribution of the firm will be beneficial for the country with significant national economy benefits." Indeed, the commercial interest of the Spanish businessman is especially linked to the enviable position of Djibouti, which is the gateway to the COMESA regional common market strong with more than 400 million consumers. (http://french.china.org.cn/). meetings attended by the local representative of Espaforza SL, Mohamed Youssouf, and manager of the Warka Bank in Djibouti, Hichem Ben Turkia. Ultimate confidence: M.Padilla believes in the ability of Djibouti to meet this challenge, that is to become the regional hub of international trade

Eagle group Noureddine Ayed Choose Djibouti With an experience of 44 years in business, Noureddine Ayed is the CEO of Eagle Ayed Group and the deputy head of IMI (International Industrial Maintenance). The Tunisian businessman finds similarities between his country and ours. He was convinced that Djibouti will become a prosperous country like Dubai and Singapore and business acumen told him to invest here. That is why he has created a local subsidiary of IMI which will soon open its doors in the capital. Since few years, many foreign investors are in the Republic of Djibouti.They follow but differ from each other by their actions. One of the most proeminent businessmen in Tunisia recently stayed in the capital to formalize the creation of a company. It is in this case Noureddine Ayed, President and CEO of Eagle Group Ayed or EAG (its acronym) and chief executive of IMI (International Industrial Maintenance) one of the most successful groups in Tunisia, covering various fields of activities. These include industrial maintenance in the oil sector, the aviation, agribusiness, construction, finance, marketing, training and technical assistance. During his stay in Djibouti, the Tunisian investor had discussions with policymakers and private operators. And on the initiative of a banker who instead urged to take advantage of investment opportunities offered by the Republic of Djibouti. With an experience of 44 years in business, Noureddine Ayed finds similarities between his country and ours. "I am convinced that Djibouti will become a prosperous country like Dubai and Singapore and my business instinct told me to invest here" he said during our meeting. An electromechanical engineer, the man has created in the 70's a small business of industrial services manufacturing ironing appliances to upgrade later to IMI (International Industrial Maintenance) dealing with industrial projects on land and sea The company has since become a technical assistance multinational and global provider in the oil industry, gas and aviation. "The strength of the company in this 24 countries around the world has been built around a vertical and horizontal integration strategy, thus contributing to the expansion of the group, not only the local market but most importantly on the international market, "says proudly Noureddine Ayed whose wish is to replicate the success of its revenues in the Republic of Djibouti, which is also the gateway to the COMESA or regional common market. "Because Djibouti is developing major infrastructure and attract more investment, it urgently needs a qualified industrial sites and global support labor. This is why the local subsidiary of IMI will focus on training and technical assistance, " confirmed our interlocutor. According to Noureddine, the main wealth of a nation without major mining resources like ours, valued for its strategic position, is its human capital. "We will invest in human resource development so that Djibouti could have in the future qualified men and women, "he added. He also stated that the objective of IMI is to develop the highest level of excellence and integrity in the quality of work and services. "In addition to being based on those values ​​and performance-oriented, our way of doing business is flexibility and the concomitant responsiveness, "said essentially the IMI boss who plans to open soon the doors of its local subsidiary. ....................................................................... Thematic analysis: Structural transformation and natural resources The most important structural changes in Djibouti between 2004 and 2009 were the result of a massive influx of FDI, which expanded the transport sector and related services. Most of the investment came from the Gulf states, especially Dubai, and focused on capital-intensive sectors: building port, airport and road infrastructure, a free-trade zone, and also real estate and tourism. The biggest investments were by the port operator Dubai Port World, especially the building of an oil terminal at Doraleh in 2006 and a container port in 2009, a luxury hotel (the Kempinski), residential housing and a free-trade zone. The firm also won contracts to manage the airport, sea ports, the oil terminal, the container port and the customs department. These investments increased the importance of transport and logistics in the economy and boosted growth of related sectors such as tourism and construction. Port activity, commerce, haulage and logistics still dominate the tertiary sector, which accounts for 73% of GDP. Transport provides some 15 000 direct and indirect jobs, which is 15% of the working population and which (with the civil service) remains the chief source of employment. These investments have improved the country’s competitiveness in cross-border trade, for which Djibouti ranks 41st in the World Bank report Doing Business 2013 but 171st out of 185 countries overall. Politics also significantly helped the transport sector to expand, as after the 1997-2000 war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Djibouti became Ethiopia’s main access to the sea. The country has few natural resources and most are not exploited. Energy sources are mostly geothermal and to some extent oil. The government is trying to raise funding for new test bores in 2013 to find and assess geothermal potential. If proven, extraction could start in 2014. Four prospection contracts were signed in September 2011 with Oyster Oil & Gas, but results are not yet available. The country could also benefit from oil extraction in South Sudan with the laying of a pipeline from there and by building a refinery in Djibouti. The country has mineral resources, but most have not been assessed. Vast sediments in the southeast could be mined in 2013 to make cement, and geothermal development could enable extraction of minerals such as zinc. Djibouti also has reserves of diatomite, silica, gypsum, ignimbrite and perlite, which have industrial uses, as well as volcanogenic massive sulphides, which contain high concentrations of both base and precious metals. No studies have yet clearly identified and quantified these deposits. [highlight]The firm Stratex Djibouti is prospecting for gold (in 10 concessions) and first results are promising. A dozen more prospection permits have been requested (but not yet granted), and production could begin in 2013.[/highlight] Salt and fisheries are agricultural raw materials. A concession to mine salt deposits at Lake Assal was granted to a US firm in 2008. Production of an estimated potential of 1.2 million tonnes a year was halted for technical reasons but should resume in 2013 with the arrival of a new investor. Djibouti has 372 kilometres of coastline with large quantities of fish that could provide an annual catch of 50 000 tonnes without hindering natural rebuilding of stocks. Current annual production is between 1 500 and 2 000 tonnes, mainly because small-scale fishing was originally promoted to protect resources and marine life. The sector is entering a new stage with the signing of a contract in October 2012 with an Algerian firm. Development of natural resources has been too small (or nonexistent) to have brought growth-boosting structural change to Djibouti. Such change is emerging, however, with projects to resolve the energy and water constraints and gradual government efforts to develop these resources. The opening of the electricity line from Ethiopia, geothermal power prospects and building a desalination plant should help reduce still very high production costs. The business climate is hampered by small and costly supplies of water, electricity and labour. Apart from production costs, the general running of the country still needs improving to make it more attractive to foreign investors. (http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/) .......................................................................... Oyster Oil Commences Onshore Geophysical Survey in Djibouti VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 9, 2013) - Oyster Oil & Gas Ltd. ("Oyster") (TSX VENTURE:OY) is pleased to announce the commencement of an onshore geophysical survey ("Survey") in the Republic of Djibouti. The Survey is a regional geophysical program covering some 450kms located in the onshore Blocks 1, 2 & 4. Oyster has contracted the Centre d'Etude et de Recherche de Djibouti ("CERD") and Imagir of France to undertake the acquisition and processing of magnetotelluric and gravity survey data. Oyster anticipates that the acquisition and processing will be completed by end of 2013. Dr. Phil Roach, Exploration Consultant commented, "We have been encouraged by our geological and geophysical work in Djibouti and have identified potentially good quality oil source rocks and also good reservoir potential. (read the rest here:The Wall Street Journal)

This is the perennial white elephants prestige schemes saga; they are pondering now whether some of the billions for projects underway would be better spent in Djibouti (eg, a mega chinese train upgrade vs better highways for trucks, new massive airport vs longer runaway ect). It is a steep challenge to get them to focus on what really matters and is of most optimal efficiency: child and maternal nutrition, libraries & skills

Japanese PM Abe Historic First Visit to Africa Abe pushes national security, energy during Middle East trip Diplomatic & Strategic Studies Institute Regional Train Upgrade Mega Project

Never understood the logic of big, impressive schemes where resources are so scarce; US/Soviet built Berbera airport is good enough as one of the biggest regional assets and 1-2 hours away from Hargeysa, so a much higher priority would have been to fix the potholes on the strategic corridor Berbera-Hargesa/Wajaale for regional trade. After all, major airports are located away from cities and very few who would mind a little extra commute if coming from overseas (locals and regular residents need mostly small planes/airports).

Foad Mohamed: Winner of the Outstanding Achievement at A Level award Grades: 4 x A at A Level School: Thomas Tallis School in Greenwich Other: Foad arrived in the UK from Somalia aged nine, having not been taught to read or write. He served as a translator for Somali parents at school. He was chairperson of the school council and captain of the football team. (http://www.blackeducation.info/awards/our-prizewinners.aspx) [...]We are pleased to welcome Mr. Foad Mohamed to the Unit. Foad is an undergraduate student studying for his BMBCH medical degree at Pembroke College, and has joined the Magill Group to undertake his Final Honours School research project. Foad is using light microscopy techniques to define molecular heterogeneity in neurons of the external globus pallidus in dopamine-intact and Parkinsonian brains. (read here) Now Student at Imperial College London, having finished the 1st part or basic sciences years of his medical degree at University of Oxford (last clinical year; training at Chelsea hospital). Very interesting young man, passionate about brain disease (Parkinson) research but well read too (quantum mechanics ect).

Chinese-built electric railway to replace Ethiopia’s historic French line Camels rather than locomotives lumber over the railway tracks in this remote desert, famously traversed by storied French adventurers Arthur Rimbaud and Henry de Monfreid in the early 20th century. The old French-built railway that connected Addis Ababa, the capital of landlocked Ethiopia, to the Red Sea port of Djibouti, is now being replaced by a Chinese-built electrified railway, a bold project that seeks to boost Ethiopia’s commercial exports. The new project also symbolises a shift in Ethiopia’s international relations. “You see nowadays that the dice are thrown differently. Chinese, Indian (and) Turkish interests are now taking over... times have changed,” said Hugues Fontaine, author of the recently published book Un Train en Afrique, or African Train, about the historic Ethiopian train. Indeed, Ethiopia is casting its dice eastward — seeking investors to help it achieve its grandiose Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), which seeks to boost economic growth and achieve middle income status by 2025. The construction of the railway is a key component of the GTP: a series of eight rail corridors totalling 4,744 kilometres, creating a series of key trade routes to neighbouring Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and — crucially — to Djibouti’s port. Two Chinese companies are contracted to build the $2.8 billion line connecting Addis Ababa to the Djiboutian border by 2016, and Turkish and Brazilian companies are slated to construct other segments of the nation-wide rail network. “We are working day and night,” said Zacharia Jemal, project manager working for the Ethiopian Railways Corporation. Jemal said the project will create 5,000 local jobs, and allow Ethiopia to boost exports of key commodities such as coffee and sesame. It also offers the opportunity to get Ethiopian workers trained by engineers from the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. The company is building the line from Mieso to the Djibouti border at a cost of $1.2 billion, of which 70 per cent is financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and 30 per cent by the Ethiopian government. Another Chinese company will build the Addis Ababa to Mieso segment[...] (theeastafrican.co.ke)

The point was that overall chronic diseases such as CVD, metabolic syndrom (diabete is now said to be a symptom of this more general disruption) or alzheimer (said now to be like "diabete of the brain" or stress killing neurons) ect, are often expensive to treat and requires constant care whereas infectious ones such as malaria for instance can be controlled with low tech, low cost interventions such as nets ect (TB is likewise manageable through nutrition, screening and education in primary care). This is the reason why we witness a big shift these years in terms of global public health focus and pressure on WHO ect to put these chronic conditions into the priority list too as many countries see their healthcare needs burdened by CVD, cancers ect with increasing stress, pollution and junk food consumption (export factories, greater communities disruption and reliance on cars, marketing ect) alongside more "traditional" problems such as TB or malaria (often prevented in primary care and with much lower costs). Anyway, the chronic conditions VS infectious disease was not the point but the crucial importance of the current findings on vitamin D (epigenetics is very interesting too and linked as gene expression is influenced by the vit D just like with stress).

"Doing the Best I Can” reinforces one’s instincts as a cultural conservative and an economic progressive. Despite the best of initial intentions, haphazard relationships that produce children rarely serve adults or children very well" ‘Doing the Best I Can’: Fatherhood in the Inner City

N.O.R.F wrote: Interesting. The illnesses in our qurbo communies could be due to, mainly, an inactive lifestyle (I'm talking about the older folks here). Poor diet of rice and meat, too much tea, too much sitting around and a lack of sunshine could all be reasons. Back home you will see elderly folk of 80s+ who are active and still running around. Genetics and lifestyle. Back home? Isn’t that the same place where TB is prevalent, Malaria is all over the place and there isn’t much healthcare? I love your anecdotal proofs, Norf. :] TB and Malaria are called infectious diseases; basic hygiene and prevention (washing hands at births, maternal milk, malaria nets, water, nutrition ect) plummet rates of such "basic" illnesses. Once done, mortality rates at birth and in early years basically resembles those of much more "advanced countries", that is why populations grow so quickly whereas some of such measures where introduced. Now, diabetes, cancers, cardio-vascular diseases, alzheimer ect are much more complicated to control, while being by-products of industrialisation; now you have to deal with stress or lack of sunshine exposure as the biggest killers and causes of diseases, whether it be through urban planning (green areas, walking over cars etc) or recommending meditation (clinicians promoting yoga, churches or mosques, relaxation etc). Pollution is much easier to control and anyway much pollution (80% and more) occurs at home through chemicals such as cosmetics etc but community spirit or family having meals together etc is way beyond any clinician control; a seminal study about the powerful influence on health of such factors as cohesion and group is the one done about the Italian enclave of Roseto where villagers have half the rate of heart diseases ect than other Americans, even with the same junk diet etc.

I am not Dr mate so all the thanks should go to the clinicians; Dr Ahmed Omar Abdi ( Ahmed Bashi) from Sweden recommended us a good D3 supplement of 5000 IU, which is available online, to be taken daily in his last visit (you are almost certain to be more or less severely deficient in many places): The Health Challenges in Cold Countries. Now that seems pretty conservative (even higher levels of 10000 IU may be optimal or several times that if fat, as it dissolves the hormone vit D so obese people may need much higher doses to achieve the same concentration). Of course severe deficiency, which is very common, requires higher dosages in addition to the routine one so to correct it. I guess at this stage, it's prudent to read more about it and discuss it with doctors, pharmacists and others for very high dosages. Here is what the good Dr had to say: "The old definition of vitamin D deficient level in the blood which was <15ng/ml (or <37nmol/L), has been widely condemned, as this is related to only the rickets and osteomalacia, but the prevention of other diseases needs a higher level of 25(OH)D3 which is >40ng/ml (or >80nmol/L), although some researchers suggest that the optimal level is around 60ng/ml (or 120nmol/L). So to maintain the level of 40ng/ml, the person may need to take 75 IU/Kg body weight per day or more; which is an average of 5,000IU/day in adults. But if the patients are already deficient they will need to take more doses to recover from deficiency. On the other hand as in many studies, it is shown that taking up to 30,000IU per day for long time does not cause any side effects and toxicity occurs at levels of 500 nmol/L or higher. [...] The worst consequences of vitamin D deficiency affect children, as this capable inflicting irreversible brain damage, especially during their life in pregnancy, and mothers will be responsible if that could be prevented by taking vitamin D (as I believe). For the breast feeding infants the best way to supply vitamin D is to give their mothers at least 5000IU/day or supplement like other children. Hollis and Wagner discovered that breast milk is always a rich source of vitamin D – enough to maintain healthy levels in infants – as long as the lactating mothers took 4,000 units (100 mcg) per day.40 So mothers should take the high dose of vitamin D or get exposed to sunshine during pregnancy and lactation for both her benefit and her baby.Everyone, regardless the age, living the high latitude area should take vitamin D supplement of 75 IU/kg/day after correcting the deficiency or 200,000IU once every 2 months.[...] [...]Everyone should try for sun exposure and avoid the sunblock creams.[...] If you want further information, there are many articles published, some of them mention in the reference, and even many video lectures are available in YouTube under vitamin D. example go to www.vitamindcouncil.org . This field needs further research and increasing public awareness."

Vitamin D deficiency: Has this long, cold winter left your levels dangerously low? Interesting comment that sum up the complexity of exposure (skin color multiply the need), accuracy of the usual testing ect: "Read Oliver Gillies Sunshine Robbery and Scotland's Health Deficit online for more detail. There is so much more to understand about sun exposure. For instance after being out in the sun it takes up to 24 hours for the VitD3 to be absorbed by the body. Most people will wash it off with soap. You then have wasted the benefit of exposure. There is no point in sunbathing when your shadow is longer than your height as you will be exposing your body to UVB rays which cause skin cancer. You need UVA rays to create VitD3 so its 20 minutes exposure a couple of hours either side of mid day it is considered such exposure will create in excess of 10,000iu". They say that even tanning beds (UV) are more efficient than pills (oil based vit D supplements and sprays seem better absorbed); took 450 000 IU around a year ago (knee pain etc), my levels shifted from 17 to 42 nmol/L or disastrous to insufficient (optimal levels start at around 76 but supplementation is individual as people benefit differently from a given dosage). It's alarming routine doctors are never adressing the root causes of diabetes, cancers ect, ie stress and lack of sun exposure, but are eager to prescribe. It's also universal, even in sunny countries where people are not exposed: High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in UAE women and girls.

Algerian Cevital expand in East Africa The Algerian giant Cevital, specializing in food, has reached an agreement with Djibouti which will allow it to invest in fisheries infrastructure of this country, announced Monday the Djibouti Minister of Agriculture in charge of Fisheries Resources Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh. The agreement "will enable Cevital Djibouti to benefit from his expertise and raise up production," said Mr. Awaleh during a joint press conference with leaders of the Algerian conglomerate. The CEO of the group Cevital Issad Rebrab must go on 22 September in Djibouti to launch the construction of a "mega Bulk Terminal", which will allow the Algerian group export of fish and other seafood, Djibouti said the minister. "Cevital has already acquired two fishing vessels," he added. The agreement will allow the Algerian group access Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which includes 19 countries with nearly 400 million people, according to Mr. Awaleh. The group Cevital will also establish a food complex in Djibouti with a production capacity of about two million tons of sugar per year, added the Djiboutian Minister. "This complex will be similar to that already has Cevital Bejaia" in eastern Algeria, he said. The project will create about 2,000 jobs dijbouti, the minister said. The Algerian group intends to expand its activities in Sudan, where he is preparing to buy four public raw sugar mills, and Ethiopia where maple land will be sold to enable him to Cevital to produce raw materials for its refineries sugar and oil, said an official of Cevital Farid Bourenani. Cevital is the largest private group in Algeria in terms of sales ($ 3.5 billion in 2012). It employs nearly 13,000 people. In early June, Cevital took over the business of PVC joinery Oxxo based in Cluny (Saône-et-Loire, France) after committing to retain 288 jobs and 406 included in the activities of French Algeria giant tire French Michelin, which will cease to manufacture tires late 2013 in this country.(marine-oceans.com) Algeria / Cevital The Group invests in the Horn of Africa to secure supplies of raw materials The group of Issad Rebrab just sealed a strategic investment partnership with the Government of Djibouti. An agreement that opens the doors to the East African market and guarantees to the food giant a perennial supply of raw materials for the industrial complex of Bejaia. Just weeks after acquiring the leading European PVC windows Oxxo, the Cevital group will act on the second step of its international expansion by targeting the African continent, through an agreement with Djibouti, one of the Horn of Africa pivotal country. Invited by Algeria Issad Rebrab the Djibouti Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, expanded over a few details of the agreement at a lively point of press in Algiers. According to the Djibouti official, the agreement between the government and Cevital covers facilities granted to the Algerian private group for a virtually unlimited access to tens of thousands of hectares of agricultural land in Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, countries which abound in considerable quantities of water provided by the Blue Nile. Resources for the development of crops, soybean meal and sugar cane require large amounts of water and agricultural land, scarce commodities in Algeria. Djibouti key for Cevital "We have close relations with Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, and we will ensure to facilitate the installation of Cevital in the Horn of Africa with access to a huge market of 400 million people from relationships of Djibouti, "said enthusiastically Mr. Awaleh who said he was" proud to receive an investor the size and quality of Cevital. " The Djibouti Minister was interested in the thousands of jobs and the transfer of technology that could bring the group Cevital for his country. Djibouti currently has approximately 10 000 ha of agricultural concessions acquired in Sudan and Ethiopia that the government is prepared to make immediately available to the first private Algerian group. An enabling environment for investors For officials Cevital choice focused on Djibouti as a platform for "African adventure" Algerian group is dictated by the many benefits this country: a privileged location in East Africa, a Port among the most dynamic in the region managed by the Dubai giant DP World, political stability and an environment favorable to investment with many facilities in terms of movement of capital, guaranteed by the central bank of Djibouti and tax measures granted by the government to foreign operators. Projects Cevital ambition for Djibouti For its part, the Cevital group is committed to invest in the construction of an agro-industrial complex similar to that operated in Algeria with the key size, direct access to markets with high growth potential that are the COMESA countries, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. The Algerian group also launched fishing deploying a Phase two large vessels. This investment was encouraged by making available by the Djibouti authorities, a fishing port and a license to operate along hundreds of kilometers of coasts, among the most abundant in the world, and that extend to neighboring Somalia. For Mr. Awaleh, financing projects in Djibouti Cevital no problem. The Algerian company will benefit from the guarantee of the Central Bank of Djibouti to financial arrangements entered into with banks and international financial institutions operating in the country. A major stumbling block that the group of Issad Rebrab seems to have overcome against the ban imposed by the Bank of Algeria to Algerian companies to any transfer of foreign currency abroad to finance investment projects or the acquisition of assets.(translated from maghrebemergent.com)

Djibouti: Regional Somali Language Academy Launched in Djibouti Djibouti's Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Culture and Waqf and the Somali-Speaking PEN Centre of Djibouti held an opening ceremony Wednesday (June 26th) for the first regional Somali language academy, Djibouti's La Nation reported. Minister of Islamic affairs Aden Hassan Aden, Somalia's Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications Abdullahi Ilmoge Hirsi, Somaliland regional Minister of Culture Abiib Diriye Nur and Vice President of the Somali region of Ethiopia Abdihakim Igal Omar attended the event at the Kempinski Hotel in Djibouti, as did about 50 prominent Somali-speaking intellectuals from the region and abroad. President Ismail Omar Guelleh met with the visiting officials before the ceremony to commend their efforts towards the preservation of the Somali language. Djibouti’s big cargo dream By John W. McCurry Djibouti International Airport hopes to become a conduit for air cargo to Africa’s landlocked nations. The airport in the tiny nation of less than one million people on the Horn of Africa took its ambitious plans to the Transport Logistic exhibition in Munich in June. It was the first time the airport had forayed into the world of trade shows. DIA has big plans for expansion of its cargo infrastructure, and a new airport is scheduled to open in about four years. Airport officials hope that is enough to entice air carriers and logistics specialists to take a long look at Djibouti. “We are looking for partners,” Moussa Houssein Doualeh, air operations cargo manager for DIA, says. “This is our first trip as an airport. We are trying to catch the rest of the world.” Djibouti’s air cargo operation is small, just 3,000 tonnes per year. Doualeh hopes the exposure gained in Munich will send those numbers upward in the coming years. DIA’s facilities, in Doualeh’s words, “do not answer all the requirements” for a significant cargo operation, but that will change later this year when a 4,000-sq.-ft. warehouse with cold storage capabilities opens. Long-range, the plans are more grandiose with a proposed US$600-million project to develop a new airport about 15 miles from Djibouti City. The current airport has just one runway and handles only commercial and military aircraft. A nearby U.S. military base shares the runway. Djibouti, with the fifth largest container port in Africa, already has a major sea cargo operation, and DIA officials envision development of a sea-air cargo model where products arrive at the Doraleh Container Terminal and are transported to the airport for flights into Africa’s interior. The idea is to entice shippers to bring their sea cargo to Djibouti rather than Dubai. “Come to Djibouti instead of Dubai,” Doualeh says. “We want to develop a sea-air model and see how we can fit and connect with the landlocked countries in Africa. We want to find partners to bring shipments from the Far East to Djibouti and dispatch them to the landlocked countries.” Doraleh Container Terminal opened in 2009 and the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority plans further expansion, which will accommodate three million containers per year by 2015. Port officials say this expansion will make the port the largest container terminal on the continent. Doualeh has talked with Emirates, Etihad Airways and DHL about development of cargo operations at DIA. He says he is optimistic these talks will be fruitful. Doualeh cites Ethiopia and Nigeria as two significant landlocked markets that could be served with air cargo flights from Djibouti. “Everything going to Ethiopia comes through Djibouti,” he says. “Eighty million people are being fed by road. We are a very small country,but our seaport is one of the best in the region. We are trying to save time for the shippers, the transporters and the customers. We are working with the seaport to see how we can bring things along with this sea and air movement.” DIA also envisions air cargo possibilities beyond Africa to Western Europe and the east coast of North and South America. Doualeh says DIA is prepared to entice air carriers with reduced rates for landings and handling for the first six months. He says cargo from the Far East takes 80 days to reach Lagos, Nigeria. Developing airfreight infrastructure in Djibouti would allow that time to be reduced drastically. “It takes just three and a half hours from Djibouti to Lagos by 747. That’s 100 tonnes straight away from Djibouti to Lagos,” Djibouti says. “We need professional logistics people to set it up. The rest will come easy.” (aircargoworld.com)

Juxa;964728 wrote: your surwaal was left in her jardino (garden)? maanta ashmaahid ee waa sidee? meant it felt down from the windows, uu ku dhacey.asc all.

We need to define very precisely the term "gay" before stating "people are born gay" and other unscientific nonsense. If gay ect was not a social construct (just as "ADHD" is the new term for kids being naturally kids and active), whole societies, not least old greek ones such as Sparta, would not be "gay". We would not be having married spouses leaving their partners and becoming "gay" too (or vice-versa). Clearly men and women interacting between themselves is as old as humanity while these terms and utterly nonsensical statements are more recent (the whole psychiatry field is a scam, under big pharma influence, for instance). So what exactely, scientifically being gay means (outside self-serving pseudo- studies)? A more fundamental issue is, if any primitive instinct should be gratified and excused, why would be cannibalism under consent (yes, there are real cases), incest or any other one be prohibited then under "public morality"? Is even homosexual practice medically safe (clearly, it is extremely risky) or sound in providing children with stable family relationships, arguably their single most important right in any ideological system? If gayness is not a clear cut, scientific term, (eg such as being born with sickle cell or others genetic conditions), and its practice is so medically unsafe, yet not propitious to optimal family structure, why should it be not discouraged instead of being lobbied for?

Not much into sambusa anymore (those pseudo sambusas in sale ayaa in nacsiiyay too), not healthy on daily basis; gym strenght training/sauna may get suspended though. Just noticed again, people open up and get much more friendly once you attempt few words of their langages, the key to habartan was to get the old italian neighbour talk to her (get back my trouser which felt in her "jardino")...

I don't know, the former lecturer is a good family friend and the finance minister Ccaziiz Samale is gone too, not in another minister role (very honest according to all). But uncle Samale had bigger ambitions probably

Japan-Djibouti Summit Meeting On June 1, for about 20 minutes from 12:30 pm, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a meeting with H. E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti in Yokohama, Japan. The following is the gist of the meeting. President Guelleh is visiting Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) held from June 1 to 3. 1. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe welcomed President Guelleh’s visit all the way to Japan, which marks his third participation at TICAD meetings. Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to cooperate with President Guelleh to bring TICAD V to a success. In response, President Guelleh congratulated the 20th anniversary of TICAD. He said that Japan extended high-quality support to Africa through the TICAD process and that the presence of many heads of state this day proves for the cooperation, friendship and solidarity between Africa and Japan. He also mentioned that he is aware that as a result of the economic policies launched by Prime Minister Abe since he took his office, the Japanese economy has become reinvigorated. 2. President Guelleh said that the cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other areas stands at the highest level. He also expressed his gratitude to Japan for its assistance and stated that Djibouti is pleased to receive units of the Japan Self-Defense Forces which are conducting anti-piracy operations from Djibouti. Explaining that Djibouti needs to develop geothermal and other forms of power generation as well as to improve infrastructure in the area of transport, traffic, finance and trade for its own development, President Guelleh expressed his expectation for Japanese investment in his country. 3. Prime Minister Abe said that Japan feels grateful for Djibouti’s cooperation toward anti-piracy operations conducted by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and others, and also requested to continue the cooperation. He further mentioned that Japan continues to support the development of Djibouti as a strategically important partner for Japan, while mentioning that Japan has implemented grant aid projects for the provision of equipments for waste disposal and for fire-fighting since the end of last year. He added that Japan is also interested in developing geothermal power generation in Djibouti. 4. The two leaders exchanged opinions concerning cooperation in the international arena, including the development of Africa. Geothermal in Djibouti: a game changer? The geothermal project in Djibouti is now ready for launch, and it will be the first exploration of any kind financed by the World Bank in almost 20 years. Several donors have also come together to support Djibouti’s commitment, including the International Development Association (IDA), the French Agency for Development (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), with additional funds from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The fact that the exploration phase of the project is supported by public funds using donors’ grants and soft loans will reduce the total cost of the project by US$52 million. It will also allow for the production of electricity at 4 cents per KWH cheaper than if the project was financed by the private sector. Here are some other numbers: currently, electricity is produced domestically at 24 cents per KWH. The project will contribute to lowering the cost of domestic production to 10 cents per KWH and will make the supply of energy more secure. Replacing Djibouti’s thermal generation capacities with geothermal would save the government power utility, Electricité de Djibouti (EDD) US$57 million per year. Given that EDD is a public company, these savings will significantly reduce the financial burden on the national budget posed by power generation. There will also be environmental benefits. The project will reduce Djibouti’s carbon footprint by helping to offset eight million tons of CO2 emissions over a 30-year life cycle. The main beneficiaries of the project, however, will be the citizens of Djibouti. They will benefit from lower electricity bills, which will result in higher purchasing power for households. A cheaper and more plentiful supply of electricity will also create opportunities for small enterprises, both enlarging the private sector and creating jobs. It will also help attract foreign investment, which is critical for the economic development of Djibouti. One final but equally important dimension to the project will be the building up of technical skills and knowledge at key institutions and government agencies, such as the EDD, the Ministry of Energy and the Djibouti Center for Study and Research (CERD). As a result, Djibouti will develop the needed know-how to conduct its own geothermal explorations at other promising locations in the country, for example in Nord Goubet. This month will mark my first anniversary in Djibouti, and I am very proud to see a project going forward that could have such a profound effect on my host country’s future. The World Bank has a number of projects in Djibouti focused on issues ranging from health, education and social safety nets to urban poverty reduction, rural community development and building resilience to climate change. They are all making a difference and contributing to the national effort of laying the foundations for inclusive and sustainable development. With its palpable transformational potential, this project stands out as a possible game changer for the country and all its citizens. Numerous challenges stood in the way of the geothermal project, but with the combined efforts of the government, the World Bank and its development partners, each was overcome. That same commitment I witnessed to get the project launched will, I am confident, propel it onwards to success. (World Bank)

As Djibouti is becoming a trade, financial and diplomatic hub and with greater interest in African resources and fast growing economies, big projects such as geothermy are quickly turning into reality: Djibouti — In a "ground-breaking" ceremony yesterday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) - with the generous support of the Government of Djibouti, the Government of Canada and the Government of Finland - officially launched the first phase of building a humanitarian logistics base that will improve storage and transport of humanitarian assistance across the Horn of Africa. The new hub, which is being built in the vicinity of Djibouti port, will enable WFP and the wider humanitarian community to dispatch humanitarian assistance more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively in the region. The port is the main gateway for food entering Ethiopia. The Government of Djibouti graciously provided to WFP 50,000-square-meters of land for the construction of the logistics hub. "This partnership between WFP, the Governments of Canada and Finland with the involvement of the private sector, national and international, is seen by the Government of Djibouti as positive step toward encouraging private sector engagement," said Ilyas Mousa Dawaleh, Minister of Finance and Industry in Djibouti. The Minister further thanked the Governments of Canada and Finland for their financial support and the WFP offices in Ethiopia and Djibouti. The Government of Canada contributed more than USD 18 Million to support the establishment of the hub on a 50,000-square-meter piece of land donated by Djibouti. Finland also contributed US$1.3 million towards the facility, which will offer silo storage capacity, allowing cost savings related to sea freight, port handling, storage and transport. The structure, which should be completed by 2015, will eventually ease the flow of assistance not only to Ethiopia and Djibouti, but also to Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia. About one quarter of the people that WFP assists worldwide live in the Horn of Africa. "The Djibouti Humanitarian Logistics Hub initiative will ensure that Canada's food assistance will reach a larger number of hunger-affected people than before," said Julian Fantino, Canada's Minister of International Cooperation. "This Canadian investment will improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of WFP and other humanitarian organizations working in the Horn of Africa." The new logistics hub also has an important training component in order to help the Djibouti transport sector grow. More than 120 truck and forklift drivers and 30 warehouse managers are being trained this year in Djibouti. "This logistics hub is not only crucial for rapid humanitarian response across the Horn, it's also an important addition to the region's infrastructure, which in turn leads to sustainable development," said Ramiro Lopes Da Silva, WFP Assistant Executive Director. "This capacity development undertaking benefits Djibouti not only through the reinforcement of its transport infrastructure but more importantly by the transfer of knowledge and expertise to Djiboutian professionals." The hub is being built and managed by WFP's Ethiopia operation, which moves the majority of its food assistance through the Djibouti port, in partnership with the WFP Djibouti office. In addition to the funds contributed by Canada and Finland, and the allocation of land by the Government of Djibouti, the humanitarian logistics hub is also being supported by the Caterpillar company. Caterpillar Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of construction equipment, has provided six forklifts and two generators to the project through its global partnership with WFP. Chinese leader congratulates Djibouti president on independence anniversary DJIBOUTI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh on the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Red Sea country's independence. "In the last few years, under your leadership, your country has achieved tremendous economic development that has resulted in improvement of the people's living conditions. We congratulate you and sincerely hope that the Republic of Djibouti will achieve more successes," Xi said in the message on Monday. The Chinese president said China-Djibouti relations had entered a new phase to promote rapid development in all economic sectors. "Very committed to the traditional friendship between the two countries, China is ready to cooperate closely with Djibouti to take the bilateral relations to a higher level. I wish prosperity and well-being for the leadership and people of the Republic of Djibouti," the Chinese president said

Besides unique geothermal resources, areas like Goubet are ideally suited to wind projects: Qatar Petroleum International signs MoU with Electricity of Djibouti Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Electricity of Djibouti to jointly evaluate to develop a potential 60 MWwind power plant in the Republic of Djibouti. This Strategic agreement was a result of an official Qatari Delegation visit to Republic of Djibouti which took place earlier this year after meetings between His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and President of the Republic of Djibouti His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh during the Climate Change Conference that took place in Doha in November 2012; this was followed by a number of meetings between His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, the Minister of Energy and Industry and the Republic of Djibouti's Ambassador in Doha, His Excellency Mr Moumin Hassen Barreh. The MoU was signed on Thursday 20th June 2013 in Doha, for QPI by Mr Nasser Al Jaidah - Chief Executive Officer, and for Electricity of Djibouti by its General Manager Mr. Djama Ali Guelleh and the signing was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti in Doha, His Excellency Mr Moumin Hassen Barreh. On this occasion, Mr Nasser Al Jaidah CEO of QPI commented "This MoU is a further milestone in the implementation of QPI's strategy to develop actively its presence abroad and especially in Africa". He also welcomed the opportunity to reinforce relationships between Qatar and the Republic of Djibouti. Additionally, Mr Djama Ali Guelleh - General Manager of Electricity of Djibouti, expressed his satisfaction with this agreement between QPI and Electricity of Djibouti which will bring added value to the development of the Republic of Djibouti's Power resources. This new agreement is a clear milestone that will open a new era of cooperation between the Republic of Djibouti and the state of Qatar.

Djibouti: Economic Developments 2013 Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 4.5% in 2012, mainly due to more port activity and a revival in FDI, but these two pillars of the economy are still below levels of before the 2008 world financial crisis. Overall growth should speed up until 2014 thanks to extensive investment in the port and transport sectors. The economy remains dominated by the tertiary sector – transport, communications, commerce and tourism – which accounts for 73% of GDP and employs most of the working population. The smaller secondary sector is growing, but the primary sector remains insignificant. Transport and related logistical services remain the backbone of the economy. Port activity has revived though transshipment operations remain small. The government launched a programme to develop the sector in 2012 by raising money to build two ports as well as road corridors. A port in Tadjourah to handle potassium exports from Ethiopia is expected to be ready by the end of 2014. A road from Tadjourah to Bahlo via Randa was completed in 2012 to carry 8 million tonnes a year of ore to the new terminal that will boost the country’s port activity by 15-20%. A bulk-carrier port at Goubet for salt from Lake Assal will open in 2013. Telecommunications, construction and tourism continue to grow, although less than the dominant transport sector. Telecommunications is steadily expanding due to mobile phones, whose operators had 211 000 subscribers in an estimated population of 864 617 in 2011, but growth of subscriptions has slowed due to network saturation. Work begun in 2012 to allow third-generation (3G) connections will be complete in 2013 and expand network capacity to 600 000 subscribers. Internet subscriptions showed the biggest expansion in 2012 (of about 30%) due to higher-speed lines, lower rates and extension of service to other parts of the country. Growth outside the capital of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology, which is similar to Wi-Fi but considered land-line, became popular in rural areas in 2012, and CDMA subscriptions increased some 170% between 2011 and 2012. Rapid expansion of land and mobile lines forced a switch from six- to eight-figure numbers in 2012. Construction in 2012 continued its steady growth of recent years. More construction permit applications were made in 2011, (249 compared with 183 in 2009), while land purchase requests rose to 1 162 in 2011 (621 in 2010 and 162 in 2008). The national housing fund’s effort in 2010 to widen access to house ownership by legalising land titles greatly boosted applications. The construction boom highlighted the need to update planning frameworks in Djibouti and in the provinces and the government promised this for 2013. Tourism also continued to grow and overnight stays increased by one-fifth in 2012, mainly with business travel connected with the foreign military bases and forces in the country, as well as with travel connected with efforts to fight piracy off the Horn of Africa. These visitors stayed in the capital despite the potentially very attractive sites elsewhere in the country. The IMF’s ECF ended in May 2012 with the sixth and last review of the programme, which was pronounced satisfactory, with good macroeconomic stability, and structural reforms in the financial sector (notably bank supervision) and in public finance management. The government asked for a new programme after the February 2013 parliamentary elections. The IMF said it would depend on achievement of macroeconomic targets worked out at the end of the last programme. These included reducing the government’s use of bank loans, tightening spending controls, collecting more taxes, and continuing to seek soft loans, repaying domestic debt arrears and protecting social spending, mainly by creating a safety net for poor families. The government has launched an ambitious programme of infrastructure expansion to consolidate Djibouti’s position as a regional trading and services hub. Projects planned for 2013 and 2014 include upgrading the railway line between Ethiopia and Djibouti (feasibility surveys have been commissioned) and improving roads after a regional integration agreement signed with Ethiopia and South Sudan as part of the wider framework of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Plans to prospect for oil continue, along with building a pipeline from South Sudan to Djibouti, expanding the Doraleh oil terminal and building a refinery there. The government has also announced it will enlarge the Doraleh container terminal using its own funding, set up a new free-trade zone and build a fishing port at Damerzog. Excerpt from African Economic Outlook 2013: Djibouti

aren't Kenyan MPs paid as much as or more than US governors (around $150 000 before recent raises)? Funnily, the Djib gvt has filed tax evasion lawsuits against one opposition businessman to collect "a quarter of the national budget"...but the global fund accused a former minister now diplomat. Its not going to be that transparent and civilised in Africa anytime soon...even with all the resources on earth.

Djibouti, China To Rebuild Somali Port VENTURES AFRICA – Djibouti and China will help rebuild Mogadishu port, officials have said. A joint delegation from the two countries arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu this week to discuss the port plans. The group comprised the Director of Djibouti port and officials from China who specialise in the rebuilding of infrastructure. “The delegation and their Somali companions received reports on the port’s functions,” stated Mr Abdullahi Ali Nur, the manager of Mogadishu port. The members of the joint Djiboutian and Chinese delegation stated that they were ready to take part in the modernisation and expansion of the Somali port. Mr Nur stated: “We welcome collaboration with the Djiboutian and the Chinese in the rebuilding of the port.” “This type of cooperation indicates the gradual development taking place in Somalia,” he added. In another development, Shebelle, an independent media in Mogadishu, reported on Tuesday that an Iranian company was planning to handle vital operations at the port of Mogadishu, the largest harbour in Somalia. According to the media reports, officials from Simatech Shipping LLC agreed with the port management on the specific operations the Iranian company would assume. The Iranian company will operate under the name of Mogadishu Port Container Terminal (MPCT), which will also deal with technical and operational aspects of the port. Neither the port authority in Mogadishu nor the Somali government issued a statement on their plans. Iranian companies that have been affected by sanctions from North America and the European Union are increasingly eying opportunities in the Horn of Africa region.

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