President of Somali Chamber of Commerce Mr Mohamud Abdi Ali (Gabaire) Wins Excellence in Social Responsibility Award
Overview
Mahamud Abdi Ali Gabeire is the best friend to business in Somalia. Serving ten years as the President of Somalia’s Chamber of Commerce, he has worked tirelessly to promote the nation’s enterprises both at home and abroad. He has organized numerous trade shows locally. He has traveled overseas to brand Somalia as the gateway to business for East Africa.
Gabeire is a home grown talent. He was born in the Hobio region of Mudug, and went to school locally. He performed national service for two years. As a young man he held various positions in the Finance Ministry before civil war made government service not only dangerous, but nearly impossible. But he didn’t leave Somalia. He stayed to build his country from a different direction.
He became an entrepreneur. First he founded and led the Hilaac Fuel Company. Adding to his energy expertise Gabeire was added to the Board of Directors of the Somalia Fuel Company. Tristar Global Logistics also tapped him as a Board Member. He has also helped run the Marina Beach Real Estate Firm.
His success in those enterprises led him to be elected as the Benadir Business Union Chairman. There he not only helped develop businesses in the country’s capital region, but he also helped the community with social issues and other needs. The natural next step was to the Chamber of Commerce to apply his skills to building commerce across the entire nation. Mahamud Abdi Ali Gabeire has become THE Business leader for Somalia’s present and future.
Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) profile
We are the beating heart of Somalia’s business landscape; with over 2000 companies registered with us, we truly represent the private sector and have been one of the main forces behind the recent positive economic changes in Somalia.
Definition
The chamber of Commerce is a non-for-profit business network established for the twin purposes of representing the interests of those involved in the private sector and also to improve the business environment and the national economy.
Structure
The registered companies make up the members of the Chamber who convene to meet, talk and to take action in relation to their shared business futures. Because Somalia has adopted the federal system the structure is similarly based on the model as a consequence and as such the state chambers make up the board of directors. All 25 members of the board of directors are tasked with electing the president of the chamber for a 5-year period they also nominate the Executive who is responsible for the day to day running of the chamber. The SCCI is a member of a number of other national and international chambers and its network is the largest business network of its kind in the country.
Vision
Organizing effective advocacy for; sustainable economic policies, conducive climate for economic development, protection and develop the interest of the private sector
Mission
To strengthen the private sector through emphasis on trade promotion and industrial development in the whole country of Somalia.
Objectives
To represent, protect and develop the rights of business and business communities in Somali.
To promote the investment of Somali natural resources locally and infrastructure-wise in Somalia as a future business hub in the region of East Africa.
To organize local exhibition and arrange the participation of local business firms in the international fairs and exhibitions.
To contribute to the socio-economic development of Somalia.
To facilitate network opportunities and interaction of chambers members with the local, regional, and international business communities.
To collect and arrange the business data in Somalia.
Values
To achieve the above corporate goals, SCCI requires values that will define the behaviour and performance of employees within SCCI every day and everywhere our prioritized organizational values are as follows:
Quality services: Timely quality service delivery.
Innovation: Being creative and serving with new ideas.
Integrity: Commitment to inherent values of honest fairness and transparency.
Teamwork: Together we galvanize collective efficiency and realization of goals.
Why are we important
Somalia has suffered extensively through years of crippling civil war and the government has always been overwhelmed and in a weak position. As the chamber of commerce, we quickly noticed our unique position to help the government, the people and ourselves and have since then embarked on a quest to rebuild the country and lead the way to a better future. This early stance has caused us to take an active role in the national scene leading us to be in various local, national, regional and international projects which have tremendously helped our people, our government and of course ourselves. Because of our history and the immense contribution, we have bought to our country, we are extremely knowledgeable and influential in government and among the people, making us an invaluable and indispensable partner in all future projects in the country.
Previous works with international and governmental partners
- The chamber of commerce convenes regular meetings between its members for the creation of new business ideas and the support of SME’s. The Chamber also attends international fares which are very important for boosting foreign investments and expanding the export market for SME’s.
- We have worked jointly with the IFC to build the legal capacity of the Chamber in order to help the private sector of which SME’s make up more than 80%.
- We are currently working with UNIDO to build enterprise development units with integrated financial support in three locations in South Central Somalia targeting the key productive sector of agriculture. This project was titled EDU.
