Dubai International inaugurates Djibouti Free Zone

This was said by Sultan bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) during the official opening of the Djibouti Free Zone in Djibouti. The opening was done by Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

Top officials from both countries also attended the ceremony including Mohammed Sharaf, Managing Director of DI and Abdul Salam Al Jasmi, Manager of Jebel Ali Free Zone International (JAFZI).

DI has already committed to the construction of a deepwater port and oil terminal in Doraleh and the management and operation of Djibouti Port, Djibouti International Airport and now the Djibouti Free Zone.

Djibouti Port was leased to Dubai Ports International (DPI), which is part of DI, for 20 years under an agreement signed in May 2000. In 2003, the port was handling 242,705 TEUs compared to 177,954 TEUs in 2002.

Through the 30-years contract signed between DI and Djibouti Dry port SAZF, DI will manage and operate Djibouti Free Zone, the first project of its kind carried out by them in the African continent.

According to Bin Sulayem: "Dubai is continuing to strengthen its global presence as a leading city in economy, commerce managing ports and free zone operators and consultants.'

DPI has successfully developed projects in the South Container Terminal in Jeddah Islamic Port, the Port of Djibouti, and most recently at Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India, which is set to become operational at the end of June, as well as Costanza in Romania and Cochin in India.

It is worth mentioning that DI has provided Djibouti Airport with comprehensive logistical services since June 2002.