DC World inaugurates a border post between Djibouti and Ethiopia

This follows the recent completion of electronic networks linking the Glafi Customs Post, the busiest checkpoint on the Djibouti-Ethiopia border, to DC World-managed Customs administrations at the Ports of Djibouti and Doraleh, the Djibouti International Airport, the cargo village the railway and post station, and the free zone operated by Jafza International.

With the installation of its trademark 'Mirsal World' system for Customs clearance and control at all Djibouti customs points, DC World's operations in the Red Sea African state are an unparalled success.

Hamad Fadhel Al Mazrooei, CEO, DC World, said:

'Our success in implementing Mirsal World and professional best practices at the Djibouti Customs Department has contributed to increasing the country's customs revenues by 70 percent during January and February, as compared to the same period in 2006."

'Based on the directives of His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, Dubai World, our focus for 2007 will be social development in Djibouti, through the construction of eight modern schools and by sponsoring social, healthcare and sporting events in cooperation with Dubai Ports World. Such community projects are an integral part of Dubai World's mission of contributing to the overall development of the communities within which it works.'

Djibouti's Red Sea ports are the most important import-export lifeline for land-locked Ethiopia's economy.

Connecting Glafi on the border with Ethiopia was crucial to Djibouti's Customs revenue stream, the most important contributor to the country's exchequer. As many as 800 trucks pass through it every day, besides other vehicles.

Abdulla Issa Amiri, Assistant Director General, Djibouti Customs and representative of Dubai World, said:

'The area around the Glafi Post has been witnessing tangible economic growth since its renovation recently. Glafi is the main transit point for trucks transporting goods to Ethiopia from the Djibouti International Port.

'We've designed the Glafi Post to accommodate the movement of goods among countries belonging to COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa). DC World has equipped the place with advanced computerized customs checking and clearance facilities to enable working round the clock to cope with the heavy flow of traffic.

'This has created unprecedented employment opportunities for the local inhabitants, and scores of them have been recruited by the Djibouti authorities for their knowledge of the region in order to curb smuggling, mainly of fuel, across the border.'

Under the guidance of its parent company Dubai World, DC World has also taken initiatives to help authorities in Djibouti reopen schools and equip them with modern facilities, repair and execute irrigation systems and work on water projects.'

The tribal leader of Wantaba tribe of the Glafi region Mohamed Afhaso, said, 'Our life has been completely changed for the better. We now have houses and our children will go to schools. We thank our President His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh and Dubai Customs World for their achievements.'