ADFD announces opening of bridge in key Somaliland corridor
The Berbera-Hargeisa corridor facilitates traffic and passenger movement, while helping to reduce time and cost incurred
The first bridge built as part of the Berbera-Hargeisa corridor project in Somaliland has been inaugurated according to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The strategic initiative was financed by the UAE’s $89.9mn grant programme provided for the country in 2017. The grant is managed by ADFD to finance various projects to drive sustainable development in Somaliland.
According to a statement, president Muse Bihi Abdi of the Republic of Somaliland inaugurated the project in the presence of Abdullah Muhammad Al Naqbi, director of the UAE Trade Office in Somaliland, and several ministers and senior officials.
At 105m long, the bridge is said to be one of the longest along the Berbera-Hargeisa corridor that links major cities and regions in the country. The road connects the strategic port of Berbera with the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, as well as other East African countries, facilitating economic cooperation and enhancing trade. The project has been carried out at a cost of $71.4m, the statement noted.
“The inauguration of the strategic infrastructure project marks a qualitative leap in economic and social development in Somaliland. This is because the project will significantly facilitate import and export of food and agricultural products, in addition to supporting small and medium enterprises and connecting the local markets with the regional ones,” said Mohamed Saif Al-Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD.
He stressed that the ADFD is keen to support the country to advance its sustainable development initiative through financing projects in strategic areas. He added, “The fund finances a number of vital projects in various sectors such as energy, transport and agriculture, in addition to promoting small and medium enterprises, which drives development in the country.”
The Berbera-Hargeisa aims to facilitate traffic and passenger movement, reduce time and cost incurred on them and lower carbon emission. The project also contributes to promoting economic activities in smaller cities along the road by linking them with the main cities in the country, he concluded.
