UAE President officially launches Khalifa Port

Abu Dhabi, Dec 13, 2012 (WAM) - UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday expressed his pride at the completion of projects that are of benefit to the citizens of the homeland and that strengthen the national economy. He made his remarks when inaugurating Khalifa Port, north-east of Abu Dhabi City. The inauguration was also attended by the Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region. The President added that the inauguration of the project, built in accordance with the latest international standards, represented a landmark in the process of modernisation and development being achieved in the United Arab Emirates through the efforts of its own sons, taking advantage of international expertise. He also said that the country provides the necessary support for the maritime transport industry, particularly Khalifa Port, which, when its phases of construction have been completed, will become one of the most important ports for trade in the region and the Middle East, benefiting from the UAE's strategic location to act as a link between the economic regions of the world. ''The opening of this flagship project strengthens our progress towards completion of the 'Abu Dhabi Vision 2030' with confident steps and will also contribute to the continuation of the high rate of growth witnessed by the UAE, meeting the aspirations of the country's citizens for a significant base for the national economy," the President said. ''The UAE is determined to implement large-scale projects to support the development of the national economy,'' the President added, noting that this would strengthen the status of the UAE within the global economy. Sheikh Khalifa expressed his appreciation for the national effort that had been displayed in the completion of the project, adding that ''Supporting and developing our human resources and making use of them, in different specialisations, so that they may shoulder their role in the development of the country, is a priority for us." He wished all the staff of Khalifa Port good luck in their work, so that the best-possible benefit could be made of its enormous potential, making Khalifa Port a lifeline connecting the UAE with the rest of the world. Dr. Sultan Jaber, chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), said in a statement: ''It is an honour for me to welcome you in the official inauguration of Khalifa Port, this economic giant project that has been implemented in a record time to join the highly advanced seaports sector in the UAE and contribute in boosting its important role.'' He explained that the establishment of Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) will contribute to keep pace with the economic growth the UAE is currently witnessing. He added that the project will handle all types of cargoes with a focus on dealing with huge ships as the depth of harbour and the canal leading to it reaches to 16 meters which can increase to reach 18 meters. Khalifa Port was designed to be developed and expanded into many phases should demand exist. Phase one will have the capacity to handle 2.5 million TEUs and can increase to 15 million. - Emirates News Agency, WAM