Djibouti As Never Seen

[Abu-Salman]

 

The Heron residential project, in one of the calmest yet agreable area (greener, sea etc) in the capital; great memories of promenades by the beach, riding bikes, cosmopolitanism (Russian diplomat's kid, Iraqis etc), before moving out.

 

 

 

 

More arid area by the Ethio border & Oasis:

 

 

International Business Center towers in construction; an integrated project with regional ambitions and full, integrated facilities amidst canals carved on the sea:

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS again, most pics are courtesy of Skyscrapercity.

[Abu-Salman]

Water Desalination & Wind Farm: EU signs for imminent launch

 

 

 

Djibouti & Regional Economic Integration

 

 

 

Huajian group signs an agreement for vast industrial & regional logistics centre (shoes manufacture, construction materials etc)

 

 

 

Huajian of China’s Ethiopian Export Zone May Generate $4 Billion

 

[...] “Light manufacturing can offer a viable path for Ethiopia and other sub-Saharan African countries as they transform their economic structure and strive for productive job creation,” Lin said.

 

The so-called Ethio-China Light Manufacturing Industrial Special Economic Zone will require $2 billion of investment over 10 years, according to Hai. Cheaper labor costs, domestic supplies of leather and preferential access to European and U.S. markets are the primary attractions for investing in Ethiopia, she said.[...]

 

Streamlined customs procedures, easier access to foreign exchange and the construction of an industrial zone near Djibouti’s port, where Ethiopian goods are shipped from, would solve the “most important trade logistics issues,” according to the World Bank book.

 

If these measures are taken “there is no reason they can’t scale up production to the same level as in Vietnam,” Lin said.

 

The new zone near the capital will eventually employ 100,000 workers who will be given food, housing and schooling on site, according to Hai. The China-Africa Development Fund and the International Finance Corp., the World Bank’s private-lending arm, are interested in backing the project, she said. (source: bloomberg.com)

 

 

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Chinese firm to invest in Djibouti

 

Djibouti's Minister of Finance and the head of a Chinese conglomerate have signed a foreign-investment agreement that will bring thousands of new jobs to Djibouti, Djibouti's La Nation reported on Sunday (March 11th).

 

The Chinese manufacturing firm Huajian agreed on Friday to invest in factories and training for the new staff. Huajian CEO Zhang Huaron praised Djibouti's business-friendly practices at the signing ceremony with Finance Minister Ilyas Moussan Dawaleh, the official newspaper reported.

 

Huajian has agreed to open a shoe-manufacturing plant and other factories for Chinese materials, as well as a logistics firm and an office to promote Chinese goods in Djibouti. The company will also hold periodic training sessions for its Djiboutian staff in Huajian's factories in China.

 

Huaron underscored his company's desire to contribute to the Djiboutian government's efforts to promote Djibouti's strengths and attract investors from Asia, the newspaper reported.

 

 

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Huajian CEO Zhang Huaron, Chinese self-made man and one of the most influential, respected business leaders in China and South Asia: Djibouti has the potential to grow very rapidly if it develops an industrial culture to attract foreign investors.

 

He projects to create 10 000 jobs within 3 years in Djibouti itself and expects to fully synergizes his important investments in both Ethiopia and Djibouti. (source: RTD)

[Abu-Salman]

APZFD / MHCI - An agreement of historic significance

 

The Government of Djibouti, the Ports and Free Zone authority of Djibouti (APZFD) and China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI) signed yesterday an agreement of historic significance in the Kempinski palace. This is due to the entry of China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI) in the capital of the new company (SA) called "Ports of Djibouti". The purpose of this China-Djibouti partnership is the capitalization of knowledge previously acquired from the ports group Dubai Ports World, present in more than twenty countries around the world. The initiative also reflect the willingness of government officials to open new prospects for national development.

 

The atmosphere of the great days reigned yesterday in Kempinski palace where the Ports and Free Zone Authority of Djibouti (APZFD) and China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI), a world-renowned company based in Hong Kong, have sealed a partnership agreement.

 

The main players in the signing ceremony were the President of the APZFD, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Minister of Equipment and Transport, Mohamed Moussa Ibrahim Balala, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh the President and CEO of MHCI, Hu Jianhua, Deputy Director and Chief Financial MHCI, Zhang Rizhong, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China accredited to Djibouti, Zhang Guoqing.

 

The event of historical significance took place in the presence of Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Governor of the Central Bank of Djibouti, Djama Mahamoud Haid, Secretary General of the Presidency, Hussein Ismail Tani, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Ports World, Sultan Bin Suleyim, several elected members of the Consular Chamber of Djibouti and an audience of national businessmen.

 

...A bet on the future

 

What was it exactly? Both parties concluded yesterday the entry of China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI) in the capital of the new company (SA) called "Ports of Djibouti".

 

 

The initiative is to translate the government's desire to open up new prospects for national development.

And under the leadership of president as noted by the Minister of Economy and Finance.

 

It is part of the vision "Djibouti 2035" which involves the optimal use of existing potential of the country.

In this capacity, Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh listed the achievements and ongoing projects bring jobs such as the oil interconnection with South Sudan, a neighbor whose freight transfer to the port of Djibouti will be effective from next January, the port of Tadjoura whose laying of the foundation stone was made recently by the head of state, the renovation of the Djibouti-Addis railway line and construction of the new railway line Tadjoura-Mekelle.

 

Many major projects whose outcome will enable the country to have a commercial and logistics platform of multimodal nature.

In projecting the future, the Minister of Economy and Finance has emphasized the need for capitalization of knowledge previously acquired from the port group Dubai Ports World, in more than twenty countries around the world.

He relied on the argument to signify the hope placed in the partnership forged with the MHCI that will ensure a better coverage of the growing demand for maritime traffic on the one hand, and secondly to boost the economic and social development of the country in general.

 

With the Chinese group, the Port of Djibouti will be the largest deepwater port in Africa with over 25 million tonnes of transhipment capacity and also provides for the construction of a shipyard and ship repair and that a new shipping line following the remarks of Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh.

 

...Focus on building a multimodal transport system

 

Speaking in turn, the Minister of Equipment and Transport said he was confident in the scope of the partnership between the Ports Authority and zones of Djibouti (APZFD) and China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI ).

Which answers, he said, the concern of the Government of Djibouti to develop port infrastructure, rail and road in the country.

Mr. Mohamed Moussa Ibrahim Balala has not failed to note the many challenges of globalization and international maritime traffic that require the ongoing modernization and permanent strengthening of the operational capacity of our ports.

This will allow for services with great efficiency and cost competitiveness.

The challenge is daunting. But it is within our reach.

Its realization consistent with the objectives of the program of infrastructure development in Africa (PIDA) of the African Union, which aims the development of intra-African trade through a reduction in transport costs, following the reasoning of Mr Balala.

 

In this context, the Minister of Works and Transport said that the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor and its connection to Juba in Southern Sudan were the center of the most important development in East Africa for the next fifteen years.

 

 

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Djibouti Telecom, already critical for the region and key African player, aim to be a global provider (increasing international sales of bandwith, regional signal relay, optic fibers, partnerships with Saudi Telecom etc and other services):

 

Haramous 3G facilities, below, the most recent ones in a program of major investments

 

[Abu-Salman]

Arta new Regional Hospital (fully equipped):

 

One of Ali-Sabieh Cement Plants (a new Regional Hospital to be operational soon):

 

Latest Let410 acquisition by Djib Air Force, VIP version, landing in Ali-Sabieh:

 

Boeing 727 or local "Air Force 1":

[Abu-Salman]

Some of the recent modern acquisitions, respectively Russian Mi-24 copters, US Sikorsky but also French Famas rifles etc:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Abu-Salman]

Ports and Free Zone authority of Djibouti (APZFD), now with China Merchant Holdings International (MHCI) as shareholder, is taking the game to a whole new level: expanding the existing facilities (2 ports, oil terminal & free zone), building 3 additional ports, a ship maintenance yard, 2 new free zones, a shipping line, an additional oil terminal and a LNG facility.

By 2017, Djibouti is planned to become Africa's gate on the eastern shores, well beyond its current reach: Djibouti's ports handling capacity will be increased 15 folds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Abu-Salman]

Almost all investments secured: all projects inauguration are scheduled for 2017 at the latest!

 

 

 

 

(again courtesy of Skyscrapercity.com)

[Abu-Salman]

As the "Arab Spring" reached its shores, assertiveness and confidence has grown among the religious and other leaders against inequalities; parliamentary elections now include some proportional representation too, as opposed to "winner take all seats".

 

Local celebrity sheikh A. Bashir join the opposition coalition, USN or union for national salvation:

 

 

We are living in very exciting times; traditional strong links with Islamic countries will be maintained, so will be diversification away from France while crucial healthcare and other accords with Cuba in return for diplomatic support against the embargo (despite world unique quality education and health access) are here to stay regardless of any change...

 

 

PS: hooyo now on tv news, campaigning.

[nuune]

Thanks for your latest links and pictures, that is one of a huge investment, and most of secured, I would not compare Djibouti to Dubai after 2017, for Djibouti will take the lead on everything, I expect the biggest airport there too.

 

 

I like the route Djiboutin is taking in terms of economy, what is this to the local people in securing employment, and what is the rate of unemployment if you have any figures, I know data can be hard to obtain due to lack of adequate census etc

[Che -Guevara]

The link isn't working.

[nuune]

^^ You mean the video link, yeah it is broken but you can correct it lol here it is:

or

 

 

[Abu-Salman]

Nuune:

statistics, albeit not accurate, do not account for undeclared activities, domestic roles etc but youth unemployment rates of 40-50% a la EU are forwarded

People are flooding into the opposition rank, with many supporting it discreetly, growing fond of the eloquent yet sophisticated and peaceful Sheikh A Bashir who is now litterally running the show:

 

 

 

True, investments are pouring in for a multitude of reasons and following UAE ones especially; still much to be done to reduce inequalities (core problem).

Fish and marine sector, apart from IT, telecoms or tourism, is promising; Red Sea fishing has even attracted a major Algerian joint-venture in exporting, boats construction etc but yet you have qualified locals abroad and traders unable to fully capitalise on all that for some reasons, even with islamic banks amd other facilities (are people expecting too much, too soon? lack of wealth management and business expertise?)...

[Abu-Salman]

In the meantime, amidst the flurry of projects or partnerships, telecoms seems particularly interesting with the whole region, in particular Sland/Puntland, serviced locally:

 

BringCom and Djibouti Partnership to Revitalize Djibouti Teleport

 

Facility Offers Round-the-Clock Ku- and C-Band Connectivity and Monitoring.

 

Sterling, VA, USA and Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti, February 11, 2013 --

BringCom Inc., a leader in supplying innovative communications technologies to Africa, and local Djibouti partners have established a new private company, Djibouti Teleport SARL, to revitalize and manage the daily operations of the Djibouti Teleport facility.

 

Under the agreement, BringCom becomes the managing partner of Djibouti Teleport. In addition, the partners agreed to upgrade the Djibouti Teleport with new buildings, backup power, security hardware and an iDirect hub to create a first-class teleport facility serving the African region. Djibouti Teleport will also provide competitive international connectivity through five large-capacity undersea cable systems connected to the facility. BringCom has assigned trained teleport technicians to assist the experienced Djibouti Teleport staff in providing round-the-clock teleport services.

 

"This agreement is a significant extension of BringCom's capabilities to serve the requirements of customers in the Middle East and Africa," said Fabrice Langreney, President and CEO of BringCom. "We are very fortunate to work with an extremely forward-looking group of Djiboutian shareholders. This relationship will allow us to revitalize the Djibouti Teleport in a way that makes it well-suited to a great number of potential users."

 

Djibouti Teleport currently provides Apstar 7 Ku-band connectivity with a 7.3 meter antenna and C-band connectivity with a 16 meter antenna. Both antennas have been refurbished and upgraded with new electronics. Additional antennas and equipment are currently being installed and should be available shortly. BringCom and Djibouti Teleport will continue to add technical functionality and personnel resources to the teleport as necessary to support the requirements of their Djiboutian, African and international commercial and government customers.

 

The Djibouti Teleport is well suited to support terrestrial, aeronautical and maritime satellite applications owing to its unique geographical location, multiple satellite look angles and international connectivity to multiple fiber optic systems, including SEMEWE3, EIG, SEACOM, and EASSY. Bringcom.com

[raula]

Aaah..the bounties of sustaining AFRICOM is paying off (just a thought)!

[Abu-Salman]

Djibouti Expects AngloGold to Begin Gold Drilling in Septembe

 

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG), the world’s third-biggest gold producer, and its partner Stratex International Plc (STI) are expected to begin drilling for the metal in Djibouti in September, an Energy Ministry official said.

 

The companies, which obtained 10 exploration licenses in the Horn of Africa country, identified two blocks that may hold “high concentrations” of gold, Abdourahman Omar Haga, director of natural resources in the ministry, said in an interview at a mining conference in Dar es Salaam on April 18. They will continue to explore the remaining eight blocks, he said.

 

The first stage of drilling is expected to take less than four months, Haga said. Thani Ashanti Alliance Co., a joint venture between AngloGold and Dubai-based Thani Investments, will spearhead development if sufficient reserves are proven, he said.

 

Djibouti, which hosts about 2,500 U.S. military personnel at the Camp Lemonnier military base, has a $1.1 billion economy with fewer than 1 million people. The economy relies on services related to the country’s strategic location on the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

 

The joint venture is planning to drill by the fourth quarter “subject to monies being available, the arrangement of appropriate logistical support and approvals,” AngloGold said in an e-mailed response to questions yesterday.

 

The gold price has fallen 15 percent in 2013 after rising sixfold in a 12-year rally through last year. The metal fell 14 percent in a two-day drop through April 15, the worst slide since 1983.

 

‘Successful Business’

 

“We have a port, a good investment code and tax exemptions” he said. “It’s easy to have successful businesses here. We just hope that the price of gold doesn’t continue to drop.”

 

Thani and Stratex are exploring an area of land between Lake Assal and Lake Abbe in the southwestern part of the country, where gold deposits are embedded in volcanic rock. Lake Assal lies 155 meters (509 feet) below sea level and is Africa’s lowest point on land.

 

Djibouti’s mining industry, which includes production of minerals including gypsum, diatomite and ignimbrite, accounts for less than 1 percent of total economic output, according to the African Development Bank.

 

Salt Investment SA, owned by Washington-based Emerging Capital Partners, plans to begin exporting salt from Lake Assal, which has a 60 square kilometer (23 square mile) salt crust and 100 million metric tons of the mineral, making it the world’s largest undeveloped salt reserve.

 

JB Djibouti Mining Ltd., a unit of JB Group of India, obtained a gold exploitation license in 2011. The company has yet to begin building a mine.

 

“We have a very high gold anomaly,” Haga said. “If the results give us only one mine, it’s nice for us because we are a small country.”

Djibouti is also in the process of renewing its mining code, which hasn’t been updated since 1994.

 

Djibouti is also in the process of renewing its mining code, which hasn’t been updated since 1994. (Bloomberg)

 

Oyster Oil & Gas Limited may too start upgrading its exploration activities.

 

 

 

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Djibouti: Changing Influence in the Horn's Strategic Hub

 

 

• Change in Djibouti’s economic and strategic options has been driven by four factors: the Ethiopian–Eritrean war of 1998–2000, the impact of Ethiopia's economic transformation and growth upon trade; shifts in US strategy since 9/11, and the upsurge in piracy along the Gulf of Aden and Somali coasts.
• With the expansion of the US AFRICOM base, the reconfiguration of France's military presence and the establishment of Japanese and other military facilities, Djibouti has become an international maritime and military laboratory where new forms of cooperation are being developed.
• Djibouti has accelerated plans for regional economic integration. Building on close ties with Ethiopia, existing port upgrades and electricity grid integration will be enhanced by the development of the northern port of Tadjourah.
• These strategic and economic shifts have yet to be matched by internal political reforms, and growth needs to be linked to strategies for job creation and a renewal of domestic political legitimacy.

(Chatham House)