By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The days of paying exorbitant sums of money for book printing abroad are in the past.
The president H.E Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo has officially commissioned the Somaliland paper factory-SPF which is the first of its kind in the country and wholly owned by a local investor.
The Multi-million dollars worth SPF situated a few kilometres from the Hargeisa Central Business district and wholly owned by business man Haji Aden Ahmed Diriye ‘Aden Barado’ is geared towards paper manufacturing and book printing as well as packaging and cordage hitherto undertaken abroad.
On officially commissioning the factory the head of state commended Aden Barado for his investment that will ease difficulties associated with book printing, paper availability as well as assorted packaging materials that have in the past been a major drain on the meagre foreign currency in the country.
Dr Ahmed Silanyo promised the administration’s support towards investments both local and foreign that will not only create employment opportunities but are geared towards relieving the country of the constraints associated with acquiring much needed products.
While thanking president Silanyo for officiating at the ceremony The SPF owner Mr Aden Barado informed that it took him four years to realize the establishment of the printing press that cost millions due to lack of avenues of securing investment funds thus entirely from his own coffers.
The local tycoon who owns several major investments locally said that the motive behind the printing press is to eliminate the costly pro
cess prevalent as pertains to book printing, packaging (Cartons) as well as availing much needed and hitherto costly A4 sized papers.
He further informed that the factory’s ambition is to enter into the regional market thus provide the same to the neighbouring countries of Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti after the local market is saturated
The launching of the paper factory cum printing press was hailed as a milestone in the country’s industrialization by the minister of Industry Mr. Abdirizaq Khalif Ahmed who said that it will not only facilitate the availability of the products and servicers formally procured at exorbitant costs abroad but shall act as a creator of much needed jobs as well as an enticer to other local investors to follow suit.
Saying that local investors are targeted for spearheading the president Silanyo vision of local job creation and industrialization minister Khalif promised to ensure that local investments are taxed leniently.
