Dubai, United Arab Emirates, - Monday, April 18th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
DP World- backed “ROADS” initiative aims to establish clinics and vocational training centres along roads linking ports
Global marine terminal operator DP World today (April 18) reaffirmed its commitment to international efforts to combat maritime piracy and to seek meaningful, long term solutions to eradicate it by announcing a contribution of US$ 500,000 towards initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of piracy.
US$400,000 of the funds will go towards the Port Community Livelihood and Security Initiative (PCLSI), a DP World-backed collaborative project already underway in Africa, while US$100,000 will be donated to the UN Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
The announcement was made ahead of a UN and UAE government fund-raising session on the sidelines of the two-day International Counter-Piracy Conference co-convened by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DP World at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. It is the first high-level public-private counter piracy conference to be held in the region on the widespread threats of piracy andcollaborative means to eradicate it.
With new attacks on vessels happening daily, government and industry leaders representing over 50 countries have gathered in Dubai to seek a common response to what has become a serious threat to the world’s sea-borne commerce.
The PCLSI is an association of industry-backed projects addressing critical human and infrastructure needs in and around the perimeter of ports in Africa and South East Asia, particularly in areas affected by, or at risk of becoming havens for, piracy.
H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World, said:
“At DP World we have seen firsthand the difference long term investment and involvement with the community can bring to an economy. This has been a major component of DP World's business development strategy in Africa and elsewhere.
It is our hope that the PCLSI initiative will galvanise industry support for port-communities in unstable, and/or economically fragile regions.”
PCLSI evolved out of a three-year-long collaboration among DP World, USAID and FHI around “ROADS”, a growing pan-African health and development program establishing SafeTStop Community Centers along major arteries linking ports with inland population centres. The SafeTStop centres offer a range of services, including health care and vocational training. Within a couple of years, it is intended that these programmes will be offering health, education and training to hundreds of thousands of people in port communities all over Africa.
DP World has already invested US$100,000 in the collaboration, which is currently active in three countries – Djibouti, Mozambique and Senegal.
-ENDS-
About DP World
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminalsand 9 new developments and major expansions across 31 countries(1). Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.
DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.
The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 16 consecutive years.
In 2010, DP World handled around 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 92 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.
www.dpworld.com
(1) As of 11 February 2011
Contacts
Natasha Bukhari
Global Corporate Communications Manager
DP World
+97156 6821699
Natasha.Bukhari@dpworld.com
Hasaad Communications:
Sanaa Maadad
Director, Media
Hasaad Communications
+97150 5522610
sana@hasaad.ae
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