The United Arab Emirate (UAE) based multinational port and terminal operator, DP World, said that it has been closely following the privatization moves the Government of Ethiopia is considering; and currently, the state owned operator is finalizing a feasibility studies to launch a logistical operations across East Africa where Ethiopia is one of the targeted countries.
Suhail Al Banna, CEO and Managing Director of DP World for Middle East and Africa, said that the feasibility study to establish a regional logistics hub, centered on the Port of Berbera, will be finalized in the coming three months.
It is to be recalled that back in October, while launching the initial port expansion project and signing the construction contract agreement worth USD 101 million in Hargesa; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, told reporters that DP World is looking at its options to develop a logistic facility in Ethiopia especially pursuant to the recent decision taken by Ethiopia to privatize its assets in the logistics sector.
The Emiratis, nonetheless, want to study the potentials of Dire Dawa and the surrounding areas for a trade logistic infrastructure development. The ongoing feasibility study across the Berbera corridor, which is deemed to become a regional hub in the Horn of Africa, could link the Red Sea to Europe and the Far-East. Suhail Al Banna said that the study will also look at the potentials of the likes of Jigjiga city in Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.