Somali Diaspora Conference is opportunity to discuss ways to build Somalia, strengthen its economy: Al Muraikhi

Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi has underlined that the Somali Diaspora Conference, currently in ses...

Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi has underlined that the Somali Diaspora Conference, currently in session in Doha, constitutes an important opportunity to discuss how to employ the expertise and capabilities of Somali communities abroad in building and developing Somalia and strengthening the economy through investors and entrepreneurs and capacity building through training and development programs, as well as reviewing potential challenges and opportunities for Somali expatriates to participate in the development of their country, and highlighting their success stories in this context.

In his speech during the opening of the three-day conference, His Excellency said that the conference, which is being held for the first time in an Arab country, is a forum that includes members of Somali communities abroad, who have faced many challenges in the diaspora countries, such as the difficulty of integrating into new societies, adapting to the different cultures of diaspora countries, the difficulty of maintaining cultural identity, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs added that despite these challenges, the members of the Somali community in the diaspora have been able to overcome these obstacles, which reflects the great ability of the Somali community to adapt and integrate with local communities, while preserving its cultural identity, in addition to overcoming difficult economic circumstances.

HE the Minister stressed the importance of concerted international efforts and the contribution of Somali expatriates in building their country, noting that the State of Qatar will remain supportive of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi pointed to the important role played by the State of Qatar in implementing many vital development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation projects in Somalia, including; Building roads such as the Mogadishu-Afgooye Road Project, and the Mogadishu-Johar Project, in addition to the State of Qatar's contribution to the rehabilitation and construction of the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the construction and rehabilitation of the Mogadishu Municipality Building, besides its support for security capabilities, economic empowerment programs, and creating jobs for youth in Somalia.