Somalis make their mark in the UAE

DUBAI - The Somali community has been making their presence felt in the UAE

Over the last five years in the backdrop of the rapid growth of their businesses in the country, in general, and Dubai in particular. In Dubai, Somalis operate more than 30 gold and textile shops, hotels, computer businesses, money exchanges and livestock imports.

Somali businessmen consider UAE as a main base for exporting items to their country. Importing livestock and leather from Mogadishu to UAE has been practised even before the oil boom. The geographical proximity of the two countries has played a significant role in boosting the bilateral trade.

Sherif Ahmed, chairman of Somali Business Council, said that in the recent years a large number of Somalis have been travelling to Dubai to procure goods for sale in Somalia and nearby countries. The major items being exported from Dubai to Somalia include rice, sugar, clothes, building materials, electronics, household goods, textiles, automobile spare parts, tyres, batteries, cosmetics, used machinery and hardware.

On the other hand, an increasing number of Somalis are now looking towards international markets and Dubai has emerged as a popular shopping destination for the Somali tourist as well as businessmen. The easy availability of a variety of competitively priced goods and excellent air and sea connections for transportation of goods have helped to promote Dubai as a shopper's paradise for them. "Dubai has become a favourable destination for us," said Mr Ahmed.

He added that the council's aim was to offer its members a comprehensive range of updated news on the country and market development and provide them with contact details for new suppliers and customers. The business council is also a forum where Somalis meet to discuss matters concerning their homeland.

"Our intention is to make their daily job a little bit easier by providing them with the required information," Mr Ahmed added.

Adam Mohammed, manager of Somalia Livestock Import and Export Company, said that more than 140 Somali businessmen are involved in livestock exports, which is considered one of the country's major revenue earners. "Livestock and banana exports bring millions into Somalia," Mr Mohammed said, adding that they hire small wooden ships to transport their goods to UAE and Oman.

Abdurazak Kabadah, general manager of H Food Limited, said that the company delivers frozen meat to UAE by air. Mr Kabadah said that UAE government regularly sends food inspectors to Somalia to keep a check on the animals and the facilities before giving the approval for imports.

Another interesting factoro is that most of the gold, textile and cloth shops in Somali Souq in Murshed Bazaar, Dubai, are run by Somali women who prefer to run their businesses by themselves. Qamar Osman, owner of a cloth shop, said that Dubai is the best place to make business as there is no tax which encourages more trade. She added that around 90 per cent of Somali women involved in business in Dubai were victims of the long-running civil war which began in 1991 when rival clans began fighting to fill the power vacuum left by deposed dictator Mohammed Siad Barre.

Backbone

Somali women have always been the backbone of Somali society. In the UAE, 30 per cent of the Somali men's income is not enough to make ends meet, and in view of that the women chip in to help their husbands in supporting the family. "The business prospects in Dubai are relatively high and it gives us a chance to earn a decent living and recover from the suffering that we have gone through in our homeland, which was dubbed as the land of sorrow," Qamar said.

Aisha Geddi, owner of another textile shop, said that Somali women running their businesses was a common sight. "Somali women have gone through great difficulties in their home country - they faced starvation, humiliation and torture. These sufferings made them very strong and independent," Aisha said, adding that many women sold out their properties and made a beeline for UAE in order to generate more money and lead peaceful and secured lives. "We are trying to make our life better," she said.

Sacida Hassan Mohammad, owner of gold jewellery outlet, was all praise for Dubai. "I have lived half of my life here, my children grew up here and we consider this place as our second home."

Amna Osman, owner of a Typing Centre, said that since the civil war broke out in Somalia in 1991, the common citizens have gone through total destruction on the social and economic fronts. Those who were affected most were women and children.

The absence of basic rights for women, particularly in political field and decision-making process, remains a major impediment. "Today Somali women in UAE are not only running business to make money but also are working towards bringing a positive change to Somalia."

Mohammed Yarow Abu Bakar Mayow, Consul-General of Somalia, said that the UAE is considered as the second homeland for the Somalis as the UAE government facilitates their business and makes life easy for them. Besides, the government has welcomed them with open arms in all the emirates. "This fact has strengthened the relations between the two countries," he said.

He added that Somalis prefer to live and run their business in the emirates and Dubai is considered the gateway. The number of Somalis living in the UAE ranges between 20,000 and 25,000 while 60 per cent of them are running their own businesses including import and export between Dubai and Mogadishu, besides gold, clothes, textiles and several trade commodities.

Many others are working in various government and private sectors. He said that the trade between Dubai and Mogadishu is flourishing at present. There are six Somali cargo aircraft operating from Dubai to Mogadishu, 12 to 14 times a week. The anchorage number two at the Dubai Port, facing Inter-Continental Hotel, is specially allocated for Somali goods.

The consulate is in the process of calibrating the accurate statistics of Somali businesses especially in livestock, fish and foodstuff as well as the exact number of people of the community residing in the UAE. The Somali community participates in varied activities organised in Dubai and other emirates, including activities at the Women's Club in Sharjah, summer camps, Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Holy Quran Award competition during Ramadan.

The Somalis also organise social activities among themselves such as visits, get-togethers, help and support programmes for each other. They are also keen in maintaining their customs and traditions. Women wear the traditional and national dress called Floral Dirac and Garbasaar, cook the traditional dishes like sambusa dish and rice with somali spices and practice their culture.

Mr Mayow thanked the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Rulers of other emirates and the members of Supreme Council for their assistance to Somalis and their contribution in solving the conflict in Somalia.

Community club

With the growth in the number of Somalis living in the UAE, the need for an association that bring them together was greatly felt and a Somali Community's Club took shape in Dubai and an official community leader was identified.

Hessian Abut Bakr, President of the Somali Community, said that most of the Somalis in UAE are centered around Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Most Somali families continue to observe their traditions and to wear their traditional costumes.