Somalia and the United States have agreed to establish technical committees for cooperation in the energy and trade sectors. This was reported by the state news agency SONNA following negotiations between heads of relevant Somali authorities and the US Chargé d'Affaires in Somalia, Justin Dives.
During the meeting between Dives and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Daahir Shire Mohamed, the sides also discussed developing partnership in the mining sector and creating a stable investment climate in this field.
"The meeting focused on developing the oil and mineral industries, accelerating offshore field development, strengthening transparency and the regulatory system, and creating a stable investment climate in accordance with international standards," the ministry's statement read.
Foreign Minister Absalam Absali Ali discussed strengthening security cooperation and political engagement between the two countries with the American diplomat, while Minister of Trade and Industry Jamaal Mohamed Hassan presented Dives with the reforms the Somali government is implementing to attract foreign direct investment.
According to SONNA, the US Chargé d'Affaires in Somalia confirmed Washington's readiness to support Somalia's efforts to strengthen economic development and expand investment.
In February, the US Armed Forces transferred weapons and military equipment to the Somali army as part of support for the fight against terrorists of the Al-Shabaab group.
That same month, the Minister for Presidential Affairs of Somaliland, Hadar Hussein Abdi, stated that the semi-autonomous region is ready to grant the United States access to its mineral resources and military bases.
