Somalilandsun: Relations between Taiwan and Somaliland are now turning skin from that of diplomatic relations to that of development cooperation.
This was the sum total of a meeting between the Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and resident Taiwanese envoy to the country Ambassador Allen C. Lou held at the presidency in Hargeisa where it was mutually concurred that the pact between the two countries extend to development cooperation.
The two countries that are internationally alienated as pertains recognition as sovereign countries entered into a diplomatic pact earlier in the year that saw Somaliland become the first country to host a fully fledged Taiwanese Diplomatic mission.
Just as Somalia claims jurisdicational authority over Somaliland so does mainland China claim the same over Taiwan.
At the meeting Taiwan committed to enhancement of its increase its support to Somaliland especially in the areas of educational scholarships, Trade and Investment, Health among others ongoing projects.
In order to create a robust trade between the two countries now at a very minimal Taiwan agreed to issue visas to local merchants bearing a Somaliland passport while conducting activities to attract Taiwanese investors to this country.
President Bihi who asked the Taiwanese government to support the availability of sustainable clean water in all towns of Somaliland said he was happy with the positive response thence anticipate start of borehole drilling in the targeted towns.
The two sides in which President Bihi had his deputy foreign affairs minister in tow while Amb Chou was accompanied by senior officials from the Taiwanese embassy in Hargeisa concluded discussions with commitment to regular meetings geared towards fostering their bilateral relations.
Taipei the Taiwanese capital is host to a fully fledged Somaliland diplomatic mission.
