# DP World to Begin 2018 Work on Berbera Free Zone Phase One

> Wardheer News on 4 March 2018 reported DP World expects to break ground in 2018 on the 12 sq km Berbera free zone in Somaliland.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: ports, roads, drainage
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/dp-world-2018-berbera-free-zone-phase-one

## Key points

- Wardheer News reported on 4 March 2018 that DP World expects to break ground on the Berbera free zone project in 2018.
- The final agreement to develop the greenfield economic free zone was signed between DP World and the Somaliland government in Dubai, according to the report.
- The report does not establish whether groundbreaking has occurred or provide contract value, contractor, timeline, or current project status.

On 4 March 2018, Wardheer News reported that DP World expects to break ground on the 12 square kilometre Berbera free zone project in 2018. The report, citing Gulf News as its source, said the final agreement to develop a greenfield economic free zone in Somaliland was signed between DP World and the government in Dubai.

The free zone is intended to complement the growth of the Port of Berbera. DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem said the project will generate jobs for the people of Somaliland and future generations and help develop the Berbera Corridor. Dr Saad Al Shire, Republic of Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said the partnership with DP World is a model Somaliland is keen to develop.

The report does not state whether groundbreaking has actually occurred. It provides no contract value, contractor, consultant, or construction timeline. It does not confirm any investment amount, job creation figures, tenant commitments, or the date of the final agreement's signature.

DP World and its partner said the project aims to attract investments, encourage trade, create new jobs and position Berbera as a gateway port for the region. The announcement marks an expectation, not a commencement: the report's title says DP World is to begin work on phase one, but no start date is given beyond the year, and no tender, contract award, or mobilization is described.

## Questions

### What are the components of phase one?

The report does not specify components of phase one.

### What construction activities have begun?

The report does not confirm any construction activities have begun.

### Who is the contractor?

No contractor is named in the report.

### What is the completion timeline?

No completion timeline is provided.

## Sources

- [DP World to begin work on phase one of Berbera free zone project](https://wardheernews.com/dp-world-to-begin-work-on-phase-one-of-berbera-free-zone-project/) — Wardheer News, 2018-03-04