Jabhad Posted July 7, 2007 Djibouti's industrial zone could get car unit By Shakir Husain, Staff Reporter Published: July 06, 2007, 00:25 Dubai: An industrial zone being developed in Djibouti by Dubai Customs World (DC World) has attracted a major European vehicle manufacturer that wants to set up an assembling plant, a senior official said. The European automaker will use the facility to supply heavy commercial trucks to African markets, DC World chief executive officer Hamad Mohammad Fadhel Al Mazroui said, but did not disclose the company's name. DC World manages the customs administration in Djibouti and is one of several Dubai government companies operating in the strategically located East African nation. Real estate developer Nakheel has invested in the country's first five-star hotel and DP World manages the country's port and airport. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al Mazroui yesterday signed an agreement with Djibouti's Finance Minister Ali Farah Assoweh to acquire 570,000 square metres of land to set and operate the Djibouti Automobiles and Heavy Equipment Zone (Dahez). "There will be showrooms, warehouses and assembly facilities for vehicle. The zone will be developed in phases. Our aim is to make Djibouti a regional hub for automobiles and heavy equipment trade," Al Mazroui said. The first phase of the development will include about 100 showrooms for cars, trucks, heavy equipment and spare parts. The automotive zone will serve as the pit-stop for thousands of heavy vehicles that transit through Djibouti every day, carrying cargo and containers from and to neighbouring Ethiopia. "Dahez will serve the increasing demand for transport-related services in Djibouti, which has become one of the busiest commercial transit points in East Africa," Assoweh said. Located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, Djibouti expects a big rise in its cargo traffic when a planned regional free trade agreement is implemented. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
