August 27 - BDP Project Logistics, a wholly owned subsidiary of BDP International based in Singapore, has opened an office in Abu Dhabi.

To position itself for government tenders and expand its activity in the country and region, BDP Project Logistics established the office as a separate legal entity. Conducting business as BDP Global Project Logistics LLC, it will focus on the oil and gas, infrastructure and power generation sectors working with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors.

"Of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi has been the least affected by the current economic downturn, and is assisting the others in their recovery efforts," said Virendra Sehgal, regional director for BDP Project Logistics in the Middle East. "Additionally, it is expected to rebound strongly in the region."

Thaddeus Joymon, general manager of BDP Project Logistics' Dubai office, which is providing sales, finance and administrative support for the new office, noted, "Abu Dhabi is the largest of the U.A.E. emirates, covering nearly 90 percent of the land mass and contributing 70 percent of total GDP. Significantly, it holds nine percent of the world's proven oil reserves and almost 5 percent of its natural gas reserves, the rising prices of which are fueling lots of construction activity, which in turn is providing enormous opportunities for project logistics business."

"Sponsoring our company is Sultan Salem Khadem Salem Al Mansouri, a U.A.E. national who has sponsored many other firms engaged in engineering, infrastructure and logistics," added Joymon. "He brings to us extensive experience, expertise and enthusiasm in dealing with companies in the oil and gas, energy and engineering and construction industries in Abu Dhabi."

Managing the Abu Dhabi office and reporting to Joymon are Vinod Kumar, manager of sales and operations, who brings more than 10 years of logistics experience to the position, and Ayyappadas Kurup, a business development executive who had been working in the company's Dubai office.