Global port operator DP World is exporting the success it has seen in Dubai to Senegal by creating a seamless transition between port, airport and logistics in the African country, according to its chairman.

DP World is exporting its success in Dubai to Senegal by creating a seamless transition between port, airport and logistics in the African country, according to its chairman.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who was speaking on the first day of GBF Africa, at the Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “We are replicating what is in Dubai today in other countries.”

Describing Senegal as a “fantastic country with a great government, highly educated people and pro-business attitude”, he said that DP World is investing €800 million (AED 3.4 billion) in a port and an industrial park, and that the operator’s 600 hectares has been matched by another 600 hectares from the Senegalese government.

DP World announced in December 2020 that it was creating a joint venture with the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD) – DP World Dakar SA, in order to develop a deep-water port at Ndayane, near Blaise Diagne International Airport.

The company’s concession at the Port of Dakar already included an agreement to develop a new container terminal alongside the existing container terminal in the Port of Dakar, however, it was agreed that a new port would be built outside the city.

Bin Sulayem told the forum: “I really admire HE President Macky Sall for his vision and decision. He decisively put the port near the airport in an area where it will allow growth and expansion and allow trade to work.”

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port saw greater success after 1985, after the opening of Jebel Ali Free Zone, he said.

“Unless there is cargo, nobody is going to use the port. The big creator of jobs is industrial parks and free zones,” he said.

“Where you are today [the Expo 2020 site, close to Dubai World Central and Jebel Ali Free Zone] is the best combination of seamless connection between a port, logistics and airport. We do exactly the same in Senegal,” Sulayem added.

(Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Seban Scaria)

Imogen.lillywhite@refinitiv.com

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