By Goth Mohamed Goth
A delegation from the Somaliland Ministry of Trade and Tourism, currently on an official working visit to France, recently held a strategic meeting with officials from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. As the largest administrative region in France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine plays a key role in overseeing tourism development, cultural affairs, innovation, and international cooperation—regularly forging partnerships with nations and global organizations.
The Somaliland delegation included the Director of the Department of Tourism and Antiquities, the Manager of the Minister’s Office, the Director of the Somaliland National Museum and his advisor, as well as representatives from Expertise France—the French public agency for international technical assistance. They were warmly received by senior officials representing the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional administration.
The discussions centered on presenting each side’s respective mandates and exploring avenues to strengthen bilateral ties. With technical and logistical support from Expertise France, both parties examined potential joint ventures aimed at advancing Somaliland’s tourism sector, facilitating cultural exchange, and preserving the Republic of Somaliland’s historical and archaeological heritage.
Areas of particular interest included capacity building for museum management, the restoration and protection of antiquities, the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure, and the promotion of cultural events that highlight Somaliland’s unique identity and history. Both sides acknowledged the value of sharing best practices and fostering people-to-people connections through heritage and tourism initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding and a formal agreement on the critical importance of further deepening their collaborative ties. Moving forward, both parties expressed their commitment to translating these discussions into actionable plans, with continued support from Expertise France serving as a bridge for future cooperation.
