US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI487

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000487 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION; 
STATE FOR AF; AF/E AND AF/EPS (ADA ADLER) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, EINV, ECON, ECPS, EINT, DJ 
SUBJECT: CISCO SYSTEMS INTERESTED IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
AT DJIBOUTI PORT 
 
1. (U) Shehab Meshki, Cisco Systems Regional Sales 
Manager for East Africa, briefly visited Djibouti March 
23-25, 2004.  The main purpose of the visit was to make 
initial contact with key government and business persons 
to evaluate the possibilities for Cisco investment in 
Djibouti.  Meshki also made a presentation introducing 
Cisco's opportunities at Pole University's annual Fete 
d'Internet.  Pole University recently began offering 
the Cisco Training Academy as part of its Information 
Technology program.  Embassy facilitated meetings with 
key Port officials and with the communication shop at 
Camp Lemonier.  Embassy Pol/Econ Officer also met with 
Meshki and briefed on the current investment climate in 
Djibouti.  Meshki plans to discuss the possibilities for 
Cisco programs with the Ministry of Education, the 
Chamber of Commerce and other Djiboutian 
businesses on his next visit. 
 
2. (U) The Port of Djibouti, managed by Dubai Ports 
International, is beginning modernization in order to 
become more competitive and reach its aim of becoming 
a commercial hub in the region.  An integral part of 
this process is conforming to the latest international 
security standards.  Meshki met with Abdillahi I. 
Chirreh, IT Manager at Port of Djibouti, who gave an 
in-depth presentation on the current IT situation and 
what the Port required in the near future.  Chirreh 
stressed the lack of wireless communication, especially 
where the new Doraleh Port Facility was concerned. 
Meshki explained the options Cisco offered related to 
the Port of Djibouti's needs, expressing the intention 
of returning to discuss Cisco's products more in-depth. 
 
3. (U) Meshki also met with Mohamed Abar, Harbor Master 
for Port of Djibouti, who informed him of a tender the 
Port had been advertising regarding security surveillance 
equipment.  Meshki indicated that Cisco would be 
interested in tendering a bid and discussed technical 
matters for the bid with Bernard Barbe, Security 
Manager at the Port.  Embassy Econ/Commercial section 
provided Cisco with specifications and information 
regarding the value of the tender and will follow the 
development of Cisco interests in Djibouti. 
RAGSDALE