Substantive questions for the Somali business community

1) Under what circumstances and via what mechanisms should income-generating infrastructure (ports, airports) currently owned by business groups be transferred to the control of a new government? What are various alternative partnership arrangements between government and the private sector for management of ports and airports? What about assets that have been built since the collapse of government and which, consequently, do not qualify as national infrastructure?

2) What government business and tax policies, as well as other regulatory policies, will best promote business interests and national economic development? For instance, the re-establishment of Central Bank, Treasury, Commercial Banks and Chamber of Commerce etc.

3) What environmental policies should be priorities? For instance, how can the production of charcoal for export be managed to halt deforestation in the country?

4) Under what conditions and to what extent is the business community willing to contribute to the initial budget of a new government? What if any conditions would the private sector insist upon?

5) What steps can and should be taken to encourage re-establishment of business activities within Somalia rather than in Dubai and the Diaspora?

6) What role can the business community play in the reconstruction process? (in terms of rehabilitation of infrastructure, for instance.)

7) What forums, structures or mechanisms will there be for ongoing dialogue, partnership and consultation among a new government, the international community and the business community?

8) Which services should be returned to government control, which should remain under private sector ownership, which should be managed by private-public partnerships, and which should involve competitive services offered by public, non-profit, and private sectors?

9) What mechanisms will there be for government to ensure compliance from businesses that committed crimes since 1991, or that are recalcitrant in relinquishing public assets to the new administration. Examples include sanctions, asset-freezing, and disqualification from government or foreign contracts?

10) How can the business community assist in the establishment of a new government and the return of peace and stability in the first six months?
   Who will control business community’s militias? Under what circumstances will the        business community willing to hand over their heavy weapons?
   Will the business community share the payment for a new police?
   What scope is there for private/public cooperation in other non-business matters such as        demobilization, disarmament?