The Nation (Nairobi)- Companies and individuals in the construction and service industries have been asked to send their profiles to Kenya's embassy to Somalia to be considered for contracts in that country.

Kenya's ambassador to Somalia, Mr Mohammed Affey, said there were hundreds of jobs for Kenyans willing to work in Somalia.

"With the peace process over, it's time for reconstruction of Somalia and this is where Kenyans start reaping the fruits of a peaceful Somalia," said the ambassador, who is still based in Nairobi.

He said a bilateral agreement launched on Tuesday opened the way for Kenyans to explore ways of benefiting from Somalia. Mr Affey said there were more than 500 Kenyan teachers in Somalia, including part-time Kenyan lecturers at the University of Mogadishu.

During the launch of the bilateral relations, Somalia's Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi said a commission of Kenyan and Somali ministers from various sectors had been formed to identify Somalia's needs and seek resources for rebuilding it.

"Kenya and Somalia are like twin countries. Somalis are happy with the effort we took to bring them peace and would want their country to be modelled alongside ours," said Mr Affey. Most of the schools where Kenyans taught used Kenyan textbooks and curriculum, he said.

Tobacco manufacturers, Mastermind and BAT Ltd have forwarded their proposals to the ambassador for transmission to the inter-ministerial committee. Among the sectors that need immediate revival are communication, teaching, banking, livestock, health, fishing, and the civil service.