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Abu Dhabi, June 20 / Abu Dhabi Ports Group today signed a 30-year concession agreement with the government of the Republic of the Congo, to manage and operate the “New East Mall” multi-purpose terminal in the port of “Pointe-Noire” in the Republic of the Congo.
The agreement was signed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Mr. Denis Christelle Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Public-Private Partnership Development of the Republic of the Congo, and Mr. Honore Saye, Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine of the Republic of the Congo. The agreement is an extension of the initial agreement signed by the two parties in March of this year.
Under the concession agreement, Abu Dhabi Ports Group has the exclusive right to invest in the development, operation, management and maintenance of the New East Mall terminal, which will handle containers, general cargo, bulk and other cargo.
The validity of this agreement extends for thirty years from the date of signing it, with the possibility of extending it to another twenty years under the same terms and conditions.
The Abu Dhabi Ports Group will invest more than $500 million over the term of the concession agreement, with around $220 million allocated to the first phase of the project, which is expected to be completed within thirty months.
During the term of the agreement, the group will provide many digital services and technical solutions that will enhance the efficiency of the new facility, including the stages of design, implementation and operation of a unified window, software development, digital engineering, business analytics, support for digital operations, and digital transformation.
On this occasion, Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamsi said: “This agreement represents a milestone in our growth strategy. With the expansion of our operations and the consolidation of our presence in the Congo, we are not only strengthening our position in the region, but also moving to a new market that has promising potentials and opportunities. We look forward through this The partnership aims to enhance trade between our two countries, open new trade routes, provide many job opportunities, and contribute to the comprehensive development of the Congo, and from this standpoint, we will work closely with our partners in the Government of the Republic of the Congo to identify areas in which our partnership can contribute to supporting their vision for the future. The concession agreement holds great potential and promise for both parties, especially when we consider the key role that the port plays as one of the best performing ports on the west-central coast of the African continent.”
Al Shamsi added: “In line with the directives of our wise leadership, the group will continue to expand its presence and global operations, by working with partners around the world to develop world-class ports and marine and logistical facilities in many major commercial centers.”
For his part, Mr. Denis Christelle Sassou Nguesso said: “We are pleased to cooperate with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group in this promising agreement, which represents an important step in our efforts to support the economy and achieve development in the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville.”
Nguesso added: “Through this partnership, we will benefit from the vast expertise and resources that the Abu Dhabi Ports Group possesses, which will develop our infrastructure and support our future plans. We are confident that this support will enable us to accelerate the pace of progress in vital areas such as transport, trade and logistics.” We also believe that this partnership will be a turning point for our country, and we all look forward to seeing its positive effects in the coming years.”
The city of “Point-Noire” is the main commercial center of the Republic of the Congo, and its port plays a major role in supporting the economy and growth of the Congo and the region as a whole.
The two parties look forward to this cooperation contributing to stimulating trade and improving linkage channels with the Republic of the Congo, which is currently implementing a new national development plan based on the development of a strong, diversified and comprehensive economy.
