HABA: Press Release
Somalilandsun – With 2012 fast drawing to a close the Horn of Africa Business Association (HABA) is delighted to reflect on a year of growing commercial interest and engagement in the Horn of Africa. As a non-political organisation, HABA is committed to helping others realise the enormous economic potential of the region and works assiduously to change many preconceptions and misconceptions.
“It has been really encouraging to see so many individuals, companies and NGOs eager to discover more about the region. Foreign investment levels are on the rise and it is heart warming to see members of various Diaspora communities returning to play a constructive role. HABA has witnessed a sea-change this year, with all sorts of people eager to learn more about the Horn and its neighbours. We feel confident that people from across the region, along with their friends internationally will help maintain this momentum for the good of all.” – Mark T Jones, Executive Director, HABA.
HABA works with following countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland (The Horn of Africa), Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda (The Greater Horn) as well as forging further business links being forged with Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
HABA believes that commercial confidence has been bolstered by a lessening of regional tensions coupled with peaceful elections at both a local and national level. In the coming year it sees a number of sectors proving particularly attractive to both local and foreign investors:
• Agriculture and agri-processing
• Construction and Real Estate
• Fisheries
• Livestock
• Transport & Logistics
All of these sectors should go some way to alleviating the problem of youth unemployment.
HABA is proud to have been at the forefront of highlighting opportunities in the field of hydro-carbons, but also believes that there is even greater potential in the area of renewable energy, particularly solar. Water and food security, along with environment, need to priorities for the entire continent and the world at large in 2013. HABA believes that with a continued spirit of pragmatism, co-operation and mutual respect attitudes towards the region will continue to change for the better.
For all the progress that has been made, scepticism will remain in various quarters and it means that all who care about the Horn and the Greater Horn will be required to re-double their efforts to ensure that progress continues.
HABA promises to work without fear or favour to help address the ‘knowledge deficit’ about 12 countries – 278 million – 1 dynamic region.
For further details visit the HABA website (www.ha-ba.com) or contact:
Mohamed Ali – Operations Director
E-mail: mohamed@ha-ba.com Tel:+44 (0) 7730 276976
Mark T Jones – Executive Director
E-mail: marktjones@ha-ba.com Tel: +44 (0) 7727 615774
