H.E Shri Oscar Kerketta, the Indian High Commissioner to Rwanda, on Friday, November 13, paid visit to DP World Kigali- Rwanda’s first inland dry port and logistics hub.
Located in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District, the dry port is built on 13 hectares and features inland container terminal, modern warehousing and cold storage facilities.
In his address, H.E Kerketta noted that he was amazed by how DP World Kigali is creating a conducive environment for businesses.
He said: "I am impressed by the facilities available here and how the dry port is providing one-stop centre solutions to local and international businesses.”
"This is very essential when it comes to doing business, especially in a land-locked country like Rwanda. A number of Indian companies have started using this dry port and more companies should take over as well,” he added.
According to Sumeet Bhardwaj, Chief Executive Officer of DP World Kigali, there are plans to expand the hub’s premises to ensure the provision of more services.
"As a sign of our commitment to the growth of our business logistical facilitation, we have embarked on the expansion of our premises so as to provide more logistical services to both the local and international market,” he said.
He added: "Our mandate has always been to provide the best logistics services and ensure the easing of doing business in Rwanda. We are grateful to the government of Rwanda, several businesses and other partners for being supportive during more than a year since we kicked-off our operations in this country.”
The first phase of DP World Kigali was launched in 2019 and was built on 13 hectares at a cost of $35 million.
The second phase expansion is expected to be built two 7 hectares, whereas the third phase will be constructed on 25 hectares.
Upon completion, the two phases will enable the dry port to features facilities like packaging and distribution centres, rail cargo terminal and corporate offices among others.
Businesses commend DP World’s services
Aimable Rulinda, Operations Manager of Fast CFS Cargo Services Ltd., a company that provide cargo services from Dubai and China to Rwanda among other countries says that DP World Kigali has helped him and his clients.
He said: "Some of the good things about DP World Kigali is that they ensure the security of our customers’ commodities at all times, thanks to their high standard equipment and facilities.”
"Previously, whenever cargo trucks would come and offload the goods at a given bonded warehouse facility, the truck would go back and we would be burdened with how to take back the containers of the cargo. But it’s no longer the case because DP World does that service as well whenever one works with them,” he added.
While officially launching the facility last year, H.E President Paul Kagame said that Kigali Logistics Platform is expected to give a significant boost to international trade, adding that it is part of the efforts by Rwanda to ready herself ahead of the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.