BD125 million airport expansion to be completed by 2007
BAHRAIN is poised to establish “Cargo Oasis” as part of the government’s open-skies policies aimed at consolidating the country’s position as an emerging regional cargo hub, a senior aviation official said.
Captain Abdulrahman Al Goud, Undersecretary for Aviation Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, said that Bahrain’s strategic location linking north and south has been a major attraction for cargo and aviation businesses to base their regional operations in Bahrain.
“The cargo facilities will be tripled and the warehouse facilities at Shaikh Khalifa Port will give a new dimension to this business,” he said.
Al Goud, who yesterday opened a FedEx facility in Muharraq in the presence of FedEx management and ministry officials, told a Press conference that passenger growth has registered a 7 per cent increase this year. “The transport growth at the airport reached 23 per cent mark while the cargo influx has registered an increase of 35 per cent,” he said.
“The government has allocated BD125 million airport expansion which will be completed by 2007. The this initiative will ensure the most modern facilities at the Bahrain International Airport (BIA) as it will offer a strong business base to the aviation-related businesses,” Al Goud said. “We welcome investors in aviation and cargo sectors as Bahrain will have a model airport by 2015. Aviation has become a core business activity in Bahrain and the Government would continue to facilitate this vibrant part of the national economy,” he said.
Talking about the new facility he said that FedEx has been an aggressive company in Bahrain and the expansion in facility was reflective of their commitment to this market. “The government is working as a partner with cargo and aviation companies. We are here to assist and facilitate all companies,” Al Goud said.
“The courier company’s new facility is purpose-built to further expand and enhance customer service and Bahrain’s conductivity with the company’s worldwide network.
Hamdi Osman, regional vice-president, FedEx Express Middle East, Subcontinent and Africa, said that Bahrain has been playing a major role in the Middle East economies. “FedEx will remain committed to this market,” he said and added: “Bahrain-US FTA will also give a strong support to the cargo business.”
FedEx posted $4.6 billion profit last year. The first quarter (June to August 2004) results have shown an increase of 12 per cent over the same period last year. The Middle East market grew 20 per cent and MENA region business grew over 27 per cent last year.
“This new facility is a major step forward for the company’s service in the region. Our customers are already seeing the benefits of the enhancements, and we believe that they will enable us to further build our service in the rapidly developing express-transport market in the Gulf and Middle East as a whole. “Our investment in the facility is a demonstration of our commitment to Bahrain and the region and also of our confidence in its economic development. We are delighted with the cooperation we have had from the Government of Bahrain in turning our plans into a reality.
“Currently, majority of FedEx employees in Bahrain are Bahrainis, and the opening of the new facility creates further opportunities. This is another example of the company’s commitment to Bahrain.
“The inauguration of this facility is the latest in a series of initiatives undertaken by FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, in response to the increasingly sophisticated requirements of markets across the Middle East. Air cargo in the Middle East region as a whole is estimated to have grown by 10 per cent during 2003, and with economic growth for the region expected to average at 4.5-5 per cent to 2006, this trend looks likely to continue.
“The new FedEx facility is located in the global logistical services compound next to the airport and it brings together under one roof all sorting and clearing of cargo and packages. Processing controls have already strengthened as a result, and service to customers has been enhanced with on-site customs-clearance operations 24 hours a day. “In addition to enhancing customer service in Bahrain, the new facility enables Bahrain to function as a gateway to neighbouring countries for FedEx. A network of feeder and commercial aircraft, as well as a trucking operation, provides reliable, on-time transport. The company has also introduced a dedicated F27 aircraft connecting Dubai and Bahrain five days a week.
Last update on: 2-12-2004