His Excellency the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Musa Bihi Abdi, speaking at an event held for the expansion of Somaliland’s main seaport, Berbera, held at the presidency, Hargeisa, on Thursday, said the extension will capacitate the port’s competitiveness and efficiency.
“The Development of ports is about bringing competitiveness which means better services and better prices; it is about economic integration, and trade facilitation among neighboring countries. We are determined to make Berbera port competitive with the major regional ports,” he said.
The President further stated that the ‘Port of Berbera as a Red Sea gateway for the Middle East and Africa can now be realized, unlocking our potential as a trade hub and creating jobs across the country’.
The Somaliland port, he said, will be in an enviable position to serve ‘landlocked countries such as Ethiopia and the rest of the region will reinforce the firm relationships that now exist and make Somaliland an important player in regional economic integration and growth’.
President hoped that the DP World investment and the support which the United Arab Emirates have shown Somaliland will act as a beacon for more international investors on and in Somaliland’s untapped resources.
“We welcome this investment and commend the courageous decision of UAE and DP World which will undoubtedly attract more foreign direct investment into Somaliland. We had invested, and will continue to invest a lot of time and effort in creating a conducive environment for investment in Somaliland,” he said.
On his part, the DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, present at the occasion to sign off the construction of the new extension to Shafa Al Nahda Contracting, a long-time partner of the Dubai-owned ports manager, expressed his company’s view of the partnership.
” Investment in this natural deep-water port and free zone will act as a catalyst for the growth of the country and the region’s economy and create jobs at many levels,” Mr. Sulayem said, adding that the partnership will, additionally, invest in people working with them by providing skills training across the board.
Mr. Sulayem said the volume of ships using the port increased from 15 to 200 a month.
DP World has been operating Berbera port since 2017 and has already improved port handling activities by modernizing equipment.
The first phase of the port development will consist of building a 400-meter quay and 250,000 square meter yard extension as well as the development of a free zone to create a new regional trading hub.
