Building for Peace: Addressing Fragility through Trade and Economic Reforms in Somalia

I am pleased to join this distinguished panel to discuss a crucial subject—how trade and economic reforms can contribute to peacebuilding. There is no case better than that of Somalia to illustrate the challenges posed by conflict and fragility, and the promise of a better future that can be delivered in part by trade.
The current situation 
The US Commerce Department describes the business environment in Somalia as an emerging market with unexploited natural resources and investment opportunities, a market-based economy with high rates of entrepreneurship and a strong business culture,…