• Joint Türkiye-Somalia company to oversee fisheries operations, licensing processes under institutionalized cooperation mechanism
  
• 'The agreement offers a win-win partnership model between two countries,' says Ahmed Hassan Aden

ISTANBUL

Somalia’s minister of fisheries and blue economy on Monday welcomed a newly signed “Strategic Cooperation and Service Agreement” with Türkiye, saying it will contribute to Somalia’s economy and help establish an institutionalized economic cooperation mechanism between the two countries.

Speaking to Anadolu, Somali Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Ahmed Hassan Aden stressed that the agreement signed with Türkiye's leading institution OYAK, holds major importance for both sides in strengthening bilateral economic relations.

He said cooperation in the fisheries sector will be implemented through the jointly established SOMTURK company, adding that both the Somali and Turkish people will benefit from the partnership.

“The agreement offers a win-win partnership model between the two countries,” Aden said.

Maritime security, fight against illegal fishing

Aden noted that the agreement also includes provisions aimed at protecting Somalia’s marine resources in cooperation with Türkiye.

“This cooperation will contribute to Somalia’s maritime security while ensuring the sustainable protection of marine resources,” he said.

He added that combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Indian Ocean, particularly off the Somali coast, is among the key objectives of the agreement.

The Somali minister said the deal also aims to strengthen Somalia’s maritime surveillance and enforcement capacity in its territorial waters, as well as enhance the country’s ability to safeguard its maritime jurisdiction, ownership rights and economic opportunities in the Indian Ocean.

SOMTURK company, licensing mechanism

Aden said the SOMTURK company, established under the Türkiye-Somalia partnership, will regulate all licensing processes related to fisheries activities.

He underlined that regulatory authority, license processing and final approval will remain with the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy as the competent authority.

“This mechanism will strengthen institutional capacity domestically while also playing a facilitating role internationally,” he said, adding that licensing applications from other global and local companies will also be handled through this framework.

Employment and economic gains for Somali people

Reiterating that the agreement represents a strategic partnership, Aden said it will open new horizons for the future of economic relations between the two countries.

“Through revenue-sharing generated via the SOMTURK company, the benefits of this agreement will be reflected for both the Somali and Turkish people, allowing both countries to gain economically,” he said.

He added that the agreement will create employment opportunities for Somalis, emphasizing its direct benefits to the local population.

According to Aden, the partnership will contribute to the development of ports, cold chain and storage infrastructure, as well as processing and industrial facilities in Somalia’s fisheries sector.

“These developments will generate new job opportunities for young people, provide vocational training and support the expansion of foreign trade,” he said.

Turkish fisheries sector, future cooperation

Aden noted that Somalia has vast fisheries potential along its coastline that has not been effectively utilized.

“Providing access for the Turkish fisheries sector to Somali ports, territorial waters and seas will allow Turkish fishing fleets to operate in these areas,” he said.

He stressed that Somalia will also benefit by sharing its natural wealth with Turkish companies, strengthening both the economic and strategic dimensions of bilateral cooperation.

He said the agreement will further consolidate the steadily growing cooperation between the two countries in recent years.

Agreement signed on Dec. 17

The fisheries agreement was signed on Dec. 17 between Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy and OYAK.

Under the agreement, SOMTURK was established in Somalia to support the ministry in managing all licensing processes related to fisheries activities in Somalia’s exclusive economic zone.

In addition to strengthening economic, commercial and technical cooperation between the two countries, the agreement is expected to create a sustainable revenue model, increase employment through fish processing, strengthen the local economy, and ensure that the added value generated contributes to the welfare of the Somali people.