DP World’s relationship with Djibouti ‘tarnished’

Dubai: DP World’s Chairman, Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulaymen, said on Wednesday the Djibouti government “tarnished” their relationship when they launched an arbitration case against the port operator.

The Djibouti government filed a case in the London Court of International Arbitration against DP World earlier this year alleging the ports operator paid bribes to secure a concession for the Doraleh Container Terminal in 2000.

Bin Sulaymen made the comments at the Africa Global Business Forum in Dubai, a day when a number of Dubai government owned entities, including DP World, made it clear that it wants to increase its investment footprint in Africa. “It’s a matter of misunderstanding. We reject all their accusations,” Bin Sulaymen said.

The port is Africa’s largest container terminal and also Djibouti’s biggest employer.

DP World’s operations in Djibouti have not been affected by the arbitration case, according to Bin Sulayem, who also said he hoped the relationship with the African government “can be repaired” after the arbitration ends.

Earlier this year the government of Djibouti said it had withdrawn DP World’s concession at the Doraleh Container Terminal.

DP World operates six ports in Africa and 65 worldwide.