PM Barre Launches Reconstruction of Commerce Ministry Headquarters

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has launched the reconstruction of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry headquarters, a project the government says is aimed at strengthening public institutions and supporting the country’s economic development agenda.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Mogadishu, Barre said the ministry plays a central role in promoting trade, industrial development, investment and private sector growth, making the refurbishment of its headquarters an important step in improving government services.

The building, which officials said has been in use for around five decades, will be rebuilt as part of wider efforts to modernise state infrastructure and improve the capacity of public institutions.

“The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is one of the institutions at the heart of Somalia’s economic development and serves as a gateway for trade and industrial growth,” the prime minister said during the ceremony.

Barre said the government was committed to upgrading key public infrastructure to improve service delivery and create a more favourable environment for business and investment. He added that Somalia was seeking to expand domestic production and attract both local and foreign investors, expressing optimism that new industrial projects would be established in the country in the coming years.

The reconstruction comes as Somalia pursues economic reforms aimed at rebuilding institutions after decades of conflict and positioning the private sector as a driver of long-term growth. In recent years, the government has introduced measures to improve the investment climate, strengthen public financial management and expand infrastructure to support commerce.

While security challenges continue to affect parts of the country, authorities have increasingly prioritised economic recovery alongside security reforms, arguing that stronger institutions and greater private investment are essential to creating jobs and sustaining development.

Barre praised Commerce and Industry Minister Jamaal Mohamed Hassan for spearheading the reconstruction project, describing it as an important investment in strengthening the ministry’s capacity to serve businesses and the public.