Sultan bin Sulayem: Senegal’s
logistics free zone project complements DP World efforts to implement the
leadership’s directives towards supporting growth in Africa
Under the patronage and in presence of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and His Excellency MANKEUR NDIAYE, Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) – Dubai has signed in Dakar an MoU with Senegalese government whereby DP World will build and develop a logistics free zone in the vicinity of the new Blaise Diagne International Airport, not far from DP World – Dakar Terminal in the outskirts of Senegal’s capital city of Dakar.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE FM, expressed appreciation and support for the efforts being undertaken by DP World and the role it serves in advancing economic and commercial bonds between the UAE and the Republic of Senegal, as part of the state’s keenness on boosting relationships with all friendly nations in general, and African ones in particular. The Senegalese FM, H.E. Mankeur Ndiaye, praised DP World’s growth-oriented projects and investments in Senegal, saying they largely contribute to the upswing of local economy.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Investing in the construction and development of the logistics free zone in Blaise Diagne International Airport of Senegal is a new opportunity for us at DP World and PCFC to move forward with the enactment of the wise leadership’s vision aiming to support growth and development in friendly countries, as directed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “It is our long-standing commitment at DP World to provide our global expertise and potentials in port and free zone operation to help these countries build necessary infrastructure for trade and economic development, especially in the port industry where DP World is a global leader with an expanding portfolio of 65 terminals currently operated worldwide,” he said.
According to Bin Sulayem, the new logistics free zone in Senegal, is expected to be one of the most advanced and well-organized free zones in Africa and globally, using the world’s latest state-of-the-art equipment and technology in the operation and management of the zone. The project will also add new jobs for Senegalese workforce, which would further boost economic growth and social welfare in the country.
The Chairman of DP World and PCFC affirmed that: “The new logistics free zone complements DP World’s leading investments in DP World-Dakar Terminal, which stands as West Africa’s largest and most modern container terminal after a new terminal was built in the facility in November 2011, doubling capacity to over 600,000 TEU. As a vital gateway to Senegal’s and West Africa’s growing trade and business sectors, DP World Dakar has created more than 200 jobs for local Senegalese people – specialized training has been given to those terminal employees to level up their skillset and bring operational efficiencies in line with DP World’s global standards.