Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Monday granted an audience in Maputo to Sultao Bin Sulahem, the chairperson and executive director of DP World, of the United Arab Emirates.
DP World is the majority shareholder in the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), which operates the port of Maputo.
Bin Sulahem told Chapo that MPDC will double the capacity of the port within a year, by making it the deepest port in the southern African region with a draught of 16.5 metres.
He said his meeting with the President was intended to stress the commitment of DP World to the logistical expansion and economic development of Mozambique.
“We discussed the expansion of the port of Maputo, where we shall double capacity within a year”, Bin Sulahem stressed. “We shall have the deepest port in the region, with a depth of 16.5 metres. This will allow Maputo to become a very important port for Mozambique and for its neighbours”.
He told reporters that the meeting had also discussed the importance of the Maputo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the country’s economic growth.
DP World’s strategic vision also involves expanding the commercial links connecting Mozambique to the world.
“We updated our vision on how to link Mozambique to the rest of the world”, he said. “We believe that the economic foundations of Mozambique are very strong, and the President confirmed this. We have placed a group to see what more we can do to expand and use the logistical capacity of Mozambique”.
Bin Sulahem believed that the favourable geographical location of Mozambique gives it a competitive advantage for global trade. “We think it’s an incredible opportunity”, he said. “We have a good location, logistically very close to major markets”.
What was needed was more investment by DP World, “and this will be done in various parts of the national logistical system, with the goal of integrating the country better into the regional and global supply chains”.
Bin Sulahem regarded Mozambique’s potential in agriculture and natural resources as pillars for sustainable growth. “This country is blessed with a great deal of wealth, in gas, petrochemicals, minerals and many opportunities”.
“Once these opportunities are unblocked, I think this country will undergo major growth”, he added
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