African Entrepreneurship Record

Modred said to Roman Karin, that the development of the port of Mogadishu indeed does not align with its historical status. Before East Africa occupied Mogadishu, it should have been the largest port on the East African coast, but now it can only be compared with some less significant ports.

This is partly due to East Africa’s focus on developing the southern and inland areas, and partly because the early destruction of the Gledi Sultanate by East Africa led to a sharp decline in its original commercial trade, which eventually disappeared altogether. It was only in the past two or three years that it began to flourish again with the fruit and vegetable trade.

”Commissioner, it would be burdensome for you. Our province has been at a disadvantage in immigration quotas for many years. If we could increase the number of immigrants, it would surely greatly alleviate the labor shortage in the province,” said Roman Karin.

Most immigrants are quality labor, which is beyond doubt, though it may take a little time for them to adapt to East Africa upon their arrival.

”Don’t be too happy yet. I’m just reporting to the Central Government. Whether they agree or not is still uncertain. However, there is a high probability that they will agree because since they have already approved your plan, it shows that the Central Government attaches great importance to it.”

What Modred said was ambiguous, but he thought it was inevitable that the Central Government must pay attention because the project in Somali region is bound to be profitable, so the East African government is willing to invest. Otherwise, they would not have approved the ’Europe-Asia Fruit Basket Plan.’ Since this project has been acknowledged, resources will definitely be allocated.

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Delaine.

”Will this significant economic activity in the northern province impact us in Delaine?” asked Helaine, the mayor of Delaine City.

”Mr. Mayor, you’re overthinking it a bit. Although Delaine belongs to the northern province, the relationship between the two is quite unique. When Delaine was initially established, it was a military stronghold and generally did not participate in the affairs of the northern province. Instead, it involved the military, and the Ministry of National Defense would intervene in the northern province, so no matter how you look at it, Delaine is in an advantageous position.”

”In fact, comparatively speaking, Delaine’s geographical position is quite awkward. We are part of the northern province, but at its northernmost point, while the economy and population of the northern province are mainly concentrated in the Shabelle River basin in the south, and we are in the south of the East African Rift zone, so the economic connections between the two are not close.”

Delaine City was first established entirely to counterbalance the power of the Three Kingdoms near the Mand Strait. With the increase in the population of Delaine, it gradually developed from a military town into a city, yet it still retains a strong military character.

After becoming a city, the Delaine City government was also established and had some configurations similar to other East African cities. However, Delaine City also faces the awkwardness of being too far from the northern province.

The economic center and population of the northern province are in the southeast, while Delaine City is in the northwest, so when the northern province government formulates plans and policies, they naturally overlook Delaine City.

This is quite understandable. For example, if a province mainly grows wheat but has some regions that plant rice, the possibility of the province issuing wheat planting subsidies is much greater than rice planting subsidies, which easily creates centrifugal force.

And Delaine City clearly is one of those areas with a weak sense of belonging to the northern province. However, this does not matter much to Delaine City because it is a significant town in the border area, so its priority even exceeds that of the northern province, which instead must support the development of Delaine City.

”Mr. Mayor, our Delaine City has a remote geographical position, and due to military reasons, many industries cannot develop at will. Furthermore, conditions here are not very good, so we should prioritize serving the military, which is one of the reasons Delaine City was established, so we cannot neglect the root for the branch.”

In the previous era, Delaine City appeared entirely due to the construction of Ethiopia’s railway, making it an important hub connecting Djibouti port.

The establishment of Delaine City by East Africa is also related to the Djibouti region, but the thinking was entirely different from Ethiopia’s.

Ethiopia’s aim was primarily for domestic economic development, considering the country had no access to the sea, while East Africa’s purpose was entirely military, targeting various adversarial forces in the region.

Helaine: ”What you said is correct. As the mayor, my role is indeed different from other regions. Most of the residents of Delaine City are military personnel and their families, fundamentally to provide support services for frontline soldiers.”

Although he spoke like this, Helaine still envied the officials in other regions of the northern province. The ’Europe-Asia Fruit Basket Plan’ was such a massive initiative, it was a substantial achievement, while Delaine City could only watch, and naturally, Helaine felt a bit discontented.

”Mr. Mayor, you don’t need to be too disheartened. Mogadishu has its advantages, and our Delaine City also has our own economic growth points. Although we cannot participate in the ’Europe-Asia Fruit Basket Plan,’ we can certainly establish some economic projects to boost the economy of Delaine City.”

”What do you have in mind?” Helaine asked.

”Our Delaine City’s greatest geographical advantage is proximity to the forces of various countries, especially the Three Kingdoms of England, France, and Italy. The British and French soldiers are quality customers. As for the Italians, their number is substantial, and due to Italy’s colonial activities in the northwest, their material shortage is significant. We can entirely promote Delaine City’s economic development through border trade with these three nations.”

”But the problem is that it’s not just up to me in Delaine City. We also need to consider the military’s attitude, and developing foreign trade requires approval from the Central Government. In other areas, it’s easier to navigate, but it’s not so easy for us in Delaine City!”

”Mr. Mayor, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Delaine City used to be entirely a military town, so there was naturally no need to consider economic development. Now that Delaine City has taken shape, one of the city government’s important roles is to develop the local economy.

This is an important change, indicating that Delaine City is transitioning from pure military use to a normal dual military-civilian city. Previously prohibited actions do not mean they cannot be done now. This is a relaxation of policy, and as long as we submit suggestions to the Central Government, the outcome will naturally await their response, and it’s not something you should worry or stress over.”

Helaine: ”You do have a point. Delaine City is indeed different from before. This should be a confidence supported by national strength. After all, there are few forces that dare to go to war directly with East Africa, so the national defense pressure in the border area is greatly reduced.”

”So what couldn’t be done in the past may have already changed. We can throw this issue to the Central Government, and the responsibility will not fall on us, but instead, we can elevate Delaine City’s reputation before the Central Government.”

This is also the advantage of Delaine City. As a military stronghold, it can directly contact the Central Government without going through the northern province government.