The president of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, has said he agreed with the United Arab Emirates’ DP World to accelerate the development of Bosasso Port.
Deni met officials from the Dubai Ports (DP) World, led by the chief executive officer of the company, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem in Dubai on Monday during a visit to the Arab country.
“DP World promised to accelerate all the development and extension of Bosasso Port and that they will honour all the contracts and everything in relation to that grand project to develop the trade, brotherhood, political and the historic relations between Puntland and UAE,” said Deni in a statement.
The Puntland leader also noted DP World’s concern on security following the February 4 killing of Paul Formosa, the port manager who was shot dead by al-Shabaab gunmen.
“On our side, we are committed to improving and restructuring the development, the investment and the security of Puntland. Puntland will create an environment which allows and is ready for investment,” he added.
The president was accompanied by the minister of ports and maritime transport, Mohamed Abdi Osman alias Majino, the minister of trade, industry and investment, Abdullahi Abdi Hirsi, the minister of aviation and airports Hussein Osman Lugator, also known as Gabiley and officials from the Puntland presidency.
Meanwhile, after the meeting with DP World officials, the minister of ports and maritime transport held [other] important meetings with officials of the UAE government-owned low-cost Flydubai airline.
The meetings explored the possibility of the launching direct weekly flights from Puntland to Dubai.
According to another statement from Puntland president’s office, Flydubai will send a technical team to Puntland to plan for the airline’s new flight route in Puntland.
Finally, Puntland leader later met officials from UAE’s Ministry of Trade and discussed livestock trade. Both sides agreed to urgently resume trade in livestock. The meeting was successful.