Somalia-China Investment and Trade Forum is held in Beijing on December 18, 2025. Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

China provides opportunities that go well beyond traditional merchandize trade. It offers technology, industrial expertise, and partnerships at a scale unmatched anywhere else, said Minister of Commerce and Industry of Somalia Gamal Mohamed Hassan on Thursday.

The remarks were made at the Somalia-China Investment and Trade Forum, which took place in Beijing on Thursday, drawing the participation of hundreds of people including business representatives and government officials.

The event also marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the African country, with future cooperation being the key subject highlighted.

Speaking about the importance of the Chinese investments in Somalia, Hassan told the Global Times that "We have a very strong history together... Many people remember the Chinese infrastructure you helped build in Somalia, and people have very strong, positive memories of the Chinese enterprises."

On a further note, he said that in Somalia, Chinese enterprises build roads, hospitals, stadiums among some another projects, and "we really like to see more of these going forward."

This is Hassan's first visit to China after assuming the position of the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Somalia. He said that Somalia and China share a long history of working side by side. In recent years, political trust between our two governments has continued to strengthen, providing a solid foundation for deeper economic engagement, he said.

In September 2024, the bilateral relationship was elevated to Strategic Partnership, a move that the Somali minister said "reaffirming our shared commitment to expand cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, and education."

China-Somalia bilateral trade reached $916 million in the first 11 months of this year, with the year-on-year growth of 4.3 percent, according to the data from China's General Administration of Customs. Among them, China's exports to Somalia increased by 4.3 percent.

For Somalia, deepening cooperation with China is a strategic priority, said Hassan, noting that "We see Chinese enterprises not only as investors, but as long-term partners in development - partners who bring experience, technology, and the ability to deliver projects at scale. Political trust creates the space for business to grow, and we are committed to safeguarding that trust."

Minister of Commerce and Industry of Somalia Gamal Mohamed Hassan Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

Talking about the specific areas where he sees the greater opportunities for cooperation, the minister said that the country has all the sectors that are popping for investors, ranging from infrastructure, energy and fisheries.

Somalia is also among the countries in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a joint initiative that Hassan attaches with great importance, and expecting for cooperation to take place in the future.

In recent years, Somalia has actively participated in high-quality cooperation under the BRI. Chinese products are highly popular in Somalia, while Somalia's high-quality agricultural, livestock and fishery products are increasingly reaching households across China, according to a recent article written by Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu, the People's Daily reported.

At present, the two sides are continuously exploring cooperation in areas such as new energy and digital connectivity, the Chinese Ambassador said, noting that with China's adoption of the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which showcase the bright prospects of Chinese modernization and demonstrate China's firm commitment to cooperation and win-win outcomes with countries around the world, this will undoubtedly bring more development opportunities to African countries, including Somalia.