DP World, a leading enabler of global trade, has hinted of plans to come into Ghana and collaborate with the government in port operations, in furtherance of government’s vision of making the country a trade hub within the sub-region.
Suhail Al Banna, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World, in charge of Middle East and Africa, told the B&FT at the company’s headquarters in Dubai that the company is currently in talks with the government in which areas to collaborate.
“Ghana’s, as you know, main port is being managed by MESK, operating in Tema and they are going to expand the project there. What we are looking at is other opportunities within the country, especially at the west side of Ghana, because Ghana is also the gate way for other West African landlocked countries.
Those opportunities are indeed available and we are in talks with the government to see if there are any opportunities to operate, manage a port at the western side of Ghana,” he stated.
This disclosure comes barely a month after DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, met with the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to discuss cooperation in customs technology, port operations, developing a freezone, rail transport and inland container depots, to develop Ghana as the trade hub for the West African region.
DP World is 80percent owned by the government of Dubai, with the 20percent being privately held.
Sultan Sulayem, who is also the Chairman of the Dubai company, Customs World, acquired West Blue Consult, a Ghanaian IT firm engaged in the provision of Ghana’s national single window and its risk management system, back in September, 2017.
Customs World is a subsidiary of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) – Trakhees, which provides services to Dubai World and its subsidiaries in Dubai, as well as other areas controlled by Dubai customs.
Customs World plans to invest in new technologies and organise training for digital customs platforms, as it does in other countries worldwide.
DP world, which is the operator of the Jebel Ali Port, the largest marine terminal in the Middle East, has a portfolio of 78 operating marine and inland terminals supported by over 50 related businesses in 40 countries across six continents, with a significant presence in both high-growth and mature markets.
DP World, according to Mr. Al Banna, aims to be essential to the bright future of global trade, ensuring that their partnerships have a long-lasting positive impact on economies and society.
“Integrating ports, customs, and freezones benefits the country they operate in enormously, enabling business to trade faster and more efficiently than ever before,” Mr. Al Banna said.
“Our flagship Jebel Ali port in Dubai is a pioneer with its logistics corridor connecting freezone, port and nearby airport with customs operations and digital processes such as the Dubai Trade portal to enable companies to move their goods.
Ghana’s ports and customs systems can make it a regional trade transport and logistics hub and a leader on the continent,” he said.
