26 August 2012--currently I am working on a electric energy project in the Republic of Djibouti. This project sort of just happened. That is not a really accurate statement, because something like this just doesn't just happen by accident. It actually started in 2009 when I spent a year and a half in Djibouti where I spent most of my time learning all about the US military base's operations (utility, and environmental), as well as the various aspects of the country. Through the connecting of the dots, networking with a wide variety of people including one who would be a high level government official I am now back in Djibouti.
That isn't the strangest part of this story, and not what I am writing about here. Since working on this project I have been approached by two international companies about potential projects in this country and in Somaliland. Somaliland is a un-recognized break away province that has very little resemblance to the Somalia that makes the news on a daily basis. Never mind that, these companies have asked me to partner with them on "Camel Milk" production, and now on Jojoba.
Side Note: The international companies that are speaking with me are located in Israel. As Jewish corporations they would not be openly accepted by a Muslim country especially one that is part of the Arab League; not good public politics. But under the covers these 'anti-Jewish' governments welcome Israel companies. How do do it? Well the Israeli folks are a practical lot, they simply form secondary and third level corporations that eventually are located out of the USA or Europe. These subsidiary companies are still owned and managed by the same people, but on paper they are not from Israel. So the public is none the wiser.
Camel milk is a good product, and is logical for this region. Unfortunately the local populace doesn't know it, and the level of effort to create a market does not make it viable; in my opinion.
Jojoba on the other hand is logical. It grows a bean that comes from a plant that grows in desert conditions, which Djibouti is full of. Jojoba oil, from the bean, is used for many commercial purposes to include expensive perfumes.
The opportunity to be distracted are many. The primary project of developing 55MW of gas turbines, and 50MW of PV solar is a tough road to haul. 12 hour days traveling back and forth from Washington DC, Stuttgart Germany, and Naples Italy are normal, so I can imagine what life would be like if I took on another major project.
But then again, Camels might be fun :-)
