Organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy in collaboration with UNIDO Somalia in the framework of the project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the “Somalia Business Matchmaking Forum” took successfully place online on 27 January 2022, with an initial welcome remarks session followed by a 6-hour B2B session dedicated to companies interested in the Somali market. 

Moderated by UNIDO ITPO Italy’s Investment Promotion Expert Mr. Francesco Pallocca, the opening session notably featured the insightful and high-level speeches of: Ms. Diana Battaggia, Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy; H.E. Mr. Alberto Vecchi, Ambassador of Italy to Somalia; Mr. Ygor Scarcia, UNIDO Industrial Development Expert & Officer in Charge (O.i.C.) to Somalia; H.E. Mr. Abdikadir Sharif Sheekhuna, State Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Federal Government of Somalia; Prof. Mr. Ciise Halane, Deputy Director General of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI); and Ms. Jamila Hagi, Head of the Enterprise Development Unit (EDU) in Baidoa.

With more than 80 participants worldwide, among which 25 companies from Somalia, engaging in more than 50 B2B meetings, the event represented an important platform to discover innovative technologies and business opportunities in several sectors of the Somali market –  namely agriculture and agro-industry, fishery, poultry, livestock and dairy, construction, logistics and more – fostering investment and trade collaborations between Italy and Somalia towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.