Port Operator Set to Launch In Philippines

World, one of the largest port operators in the world, has expressed interest in expanding its operations in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World, arrived in Manila over the weekend and met with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Malacañan Palace where they discussed investment prospects, a senior Philippine government official told XPRESS.

“The meeting held last Friday was very fruitful,'' said the official who is a senior aide to Mrs Arroyo.

President Arroyo has promised to support DP World's plan to get involved in infrastructure projects in ports, property development, free zones and the hospitality sector, the official said.

Joining Bin Sulayem in the Dubai World delegation were: Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer of DP World; Peter Wong, Director for Asia-Pacific of DP World, and Suhail Al Banna, Executive Vice President of DP World's Asian Terminal Operations.

The Ambassador of the UAE to the Philippines, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Juwaid accompanied the delegation to the presidential palace.

The high-level meeting was reportedly facilitated by the governor of the southern province of Cebu, Gwendolyn Garcia, who was in Dubai last June. Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano was also in the meeting.

Following the meeting with the President in Manila, the Dubai World executives traveled to Cebu, where they attended a series of official functions including Sulayem's address in a Cebu Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“Their discussions with Governor Garcia and her aides focused on building business relationships between the two sides,'' a Dubai World statement said.

“We are very excited about the prospects of our visit to the Philippines, especially to Cebu. We want to do something in this beautiful island, and strengthen the bonds between the UAE and the Philippines.

"During our talks we identified several potential areas for investment and we will be studying them in depth to develop viable investment options,'' Sulayem said: