DP world chairman meets president of Ghana

Mr. Bin Sulayem: Customs agreement opens new areas for cooperation Connecting West African nations will develop trade and economies

Partnership and cooperation on the development of infrastructure and transport connections will enable Ghana and other western African nations to develop their economies according to DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Discussions with the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, on a tour of West Africa recently centered on cooperation in customs technology, port operations, freezone development, rail transport and inland container depots as ways to develop trade and support businesses aiming to reach international markets.

Mr. Bin Sulayem highlighted Ghana’s recent agreement with Dubai’s Customs World to supply customs clearing services in the country as an example of making processes more efficient, lowering costs for ports and transport providers and enabling more efficient trade flows.

Customs World acquired West Blue Ghana Ltd in September to provide a national single window and risk management system and will invest in new technologies and training in customs digital platforms as they do in other countries worldwide. The implementation of the new systems will be based on a robust risk engine that will improve efficiency in the country’s ports and customs operations and increase government’s revenue and reduce the cost of doing business at the ports.

DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “Integrating ports, customs, and freezones in Ghana will benefit the country enormously, enabling business to trade faster and more efficiently than ever before. Dubai is a model for the world and we can support developing nations such as Ghana in the long term implementation of such strategies as the recent agreement with Customs World demonstrates.

“Our flagship Jebel Ali port in Dubai is a pioneer with its logistics corridor connecting freezone, port and nearby airport with customs operations and digital processes such as the Dubai Trade portal to enable companies to move their goods. Ghana’s ports and customs systems can make it a regional trade transport and logistics hub and a leader on the continent.”

“Trade and not just aid is one of the key action points African nations have raised and development of infrastructure and transport connectivity will help considerably. Trade is a gateway to development and regional cooperation through public private partnerships and will benefit all. Africa is in a unique position in that it has the chance to trade with an untapped market – itself. Countries such as Ghana can help make this ambition a reality given its access to the sea and the fact that 90% of trade in Africa is along its coastline.”

A report by DP World on Africa with the Economist Intelligence Unit said that the impact of trade facilitation* on trade flows and costs is real with an estimate that on average a 10% increase in a country’s trade facilitation performance can lead to an increase in trade flows and an 8.3% reduction in trade costs.

-Ends-

*Trade facilitation is a term that captures the barriers (outside of tariffs) that can prevent trade from flourishing. It includes everything from the use of technology to automate and expedite customs and inspections procedures; to public communication about new trade laws and regulations; to the labelling and health standard requirements that traders face.

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Sanaa Maadad
Corporate Communications Manager
DP World
Tel: +971 505522610
sana.maadad@dpworld.com

Mike Vertigans
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
DP World
Tel: +971 566769324
michael.vertigans@dpworld.com

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About DP World:
DP World^{^[1]} is a leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain. We operate multiple yet related businesses – from marine and inland terminals, maritime services, logistics and ancillary services to technology-driven trade solutions.

We have a portfolio of 78 operating marine and inland terminals supported by over 50 related businesses in over 40 countries across six continents with a significant presence in both high-growth and mature markets. We aim to be essential to the bright future of global trade, ensuring everything we do has a long-lasting positive impact on economies and society.

Our dedicated team of over 36,000 employees from 103 countries cultivates long-standing relationships with governments, shipping lines, importers and exporters, communities, and many other important constituents of the global supply chain, to add value and provide quality services today and tomorrow.

Container handling is the company’s core business and generates more than three quarters of its revenue. In 2016, DP World handled around 64 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across our portfolio. With its committed pipeline of developments and expansions, the current gross capacity of 84.6 million TEU is expected to rise to more than 100 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

By thinking ahead, foreseeing change and innovating we aim to create the most productive, efficient and safe trade solutions globally.

[1] As of March 2017