UAE’s DP World has showed interest in Thailand’s Landbridge project

Chatrudee Theparat

UAE’s DP World has showed interest in Thailand’s Landbridge project

Dubai Port World, a multinational logistics company based in Dubai, has showed interest to invest in Thailand’s flagship Landbridge.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Srettha Thavisin met executives of world’s leading firms during his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland, during January 15-19. His meeting with high-profile executives is expected to help bring economic benefits to Thailand through trade and investment in the country’s potential fields.

Mr Sreetha yesterday met Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive officer of DP World and the chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. He said the company showed interest to invest in Landbridge project.

“DP Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World, has informed that he is ready to visit Thailand in order to survey the project.”

Dubai Port World specializes in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services and free trade zones. Currently, the company now runs Thailand’s Laem Chabang deep seaport.

Established in 2005, DP World handles 70 million containers via around 70,000 vessels annually. This accounts for roughly 10% of global container traffic, with its 82 marine and inland terminals in over 40 countries. The company employs 100,000 people from over 150 nationalities to ensure the smooth flow of its operation.

Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said the government plans to launch international roadshows continuously this year and open the bidding early next year. The government has already completed its initial study of the project. Interested investors are able to conduct more project research if they want to invest.

The winner must have only one company because it needs to manage land-bridge, logistics and port at the same moment. However, they can join as a consortium in the competitive bidding. He said companies from Japan, the U.S., the U.K. and China have shown interest to invest in the project.

Mr Sreetha met Coca Cola’s chairman and CEO James Quincey. The company has showed its readiness to expand their investment in Thailand and plans to use the country as a regional hub to promote trade and facilitate logistics among neighboring countries. The company also focuses on sustainable manufacturing, especially the use of plastic to prevent pollution.

Coca Cola is the world’s largest beverage manufacturer and distributor with over 200 beverage brands. Coca Cola Thailand was founded in 1990 and was granted investment promotion by the BOI to establish its regional headquarters in 2010.

The prime minister also met Bank of America and CEO of Merrill Lynch Bernard Mensah and the company is ready to cooperate with Thai government to promote investment in Thailand and join the government’s roadshows. Also, he met executive of DKHS Holdings, Stefan Butz, who proposed the government to promote more using e-document and show its readiness to expand business in Thailand.

DKSH is a Swiss holding company specializing in market expansion services (sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, distribution and logistics, and after-sales services.) DKSH Thailand is one of the largest organizations in the country in terms of sales, and the largest country operation of the DKSH Group.