Somali computer firm doing roaring business

Mogadishu- Somalia (PANA) -- Despite the long civil strife that has rocked Somalia in the last decade, some business establishments in the Horn of Africa country are doing rather well.
A PANA visit to one of the information, communication and technology businesses in the capital Mogadishu, Beder Electronic Company, which imports and sells computers, revealed the country is not all about guns and machetes.
According to BEC general manager, Ali Musa, the company, founded in 1994 by 10 young Somali men, including himself, who pooled 10,000 US dollars, has more than tripled its turnover.
"We buy most of our computers brand new from Dubai, United Arabs Emirates and from some other Asian countries," Musa said.
He added: "It is not all about war here as many people believe.
Somali people also want to catch up with globalisation.
That is why they too are keen on owning the latest technology.
" The company supplies computers to most UN agencies in Somalia, local NGOs and individuals.
During the last two years, the company has sold more than 2,000 computers.
Apart from selling electronic equipment, the company also runs its own institute of information technology, where many Somali students learn modern computer programmes at low rates.
According to its management, the institute is intended to fulfil a desire of Somali citizens to be fully computer literate.
Most Somalis used to go abroad to study advanced diploma in computer science before the institute was set up.
Most of the teachers at the institute are foreigners of Asian origin who told PANA they are happy to work in Somalia.