Tamil Nadu is benefitting thousands of Somaliland patients. He said, “Every year, around 50,000 people from Somaliland are travelling to various countries, including India, for medical tourism. In future, this will be organised through the trade office and will predominantly be delivered in Tamil Nadu in line with Chief Minister MK Stalin’s vision to make Tamil Nadu as a destination for medical tourism”.
Noting that the country lacked an embassy in India, he stated that discussions will be held soon to establish one in New Delhi. He also stated that Somaliland and India have a big commercial opportunity in the sectors of textiles, pharma, agriculture, and other fields, which is estimated to be over USD 600 million per year.
Somaliland designated Abdul Ghani as special advisor for economy and trade and Dr Annamalai Pandian, chairman and managing director of Deepam Hospitals, as special advisor for healthcare. Both individuals took charge on December 4. According to Dr Annamalai Pandian, Deepam Hospitals, with the help of foreign organizations, has begun investing in primary, secondary, and nutritional healthcare for the Republic of Somaliland as the first stage in the partnership. He stated, “The investment is estimated to be USD 100 million”.
