Somalia: DP World mogul visits Somaliland

BERBERA, Somaliland-The flamboyant Chairman and CEO of Dubai-based giant firm, DP World has visited Somaliland for business talks with President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports. 

Ahmed bin Sulayem firstly landed at Berbera International Airport before proceeding to tete-e-tete with Silanyo and cabinet ministers at Hargeisa presidential palace. 

Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister Sa’ad Ali Shire signed a deal to develop Berbera port with DP World which manages 65 marine terminals throughout six continents on May 12.  

Sulayem met with Berbera Ports Authority (BPA) Director General Ali Omar Mohamed, who conferred visiting DP World delegation about how feasible Berbera port is as well as close proximity of the port set to be key logistical hub in 30 years.  

Mohamed hoped that DP World Group would be feeling satisfied with the strategic importance of Berbera port.  

DP World officials toured the port for inspection alongside briefing Somaliland officials.  

Speaking at a joint press conference with Sulayem, Minister for External Affairs Shire said USD 442 million joint venture established between the breakaway region and DP World will benefit Somaliland people.  

The Chairman of Dubai-headquartered terminal operator on his side praised staff and management at Berbera port, admitting that Berbera is conducive for the proposed investment endeavor.  

On May 16, Somaliland’s State Minister for Presidency Mohamud Hashi Abdi dismissed reports alleging that critical Djiboutian tycoon Abdirahman Boreh was involved in negotiations with DP World executives. 

The firm will run Somaliland’s Berbera port for 30 years with the disclosed amount over time. DP World said in statement that the agreement aims to transform Berbera port into a “regional and logistic hub” by providing an additional gateway for land-locked Ethiopia. 

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as a de facto sovereign State in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.

GAROWEONLINE