Addis Ababa, May 23, 2022 (Walta) – Kalub General Trading has expressed aspiration to be the hub for East Africa in top quality Cutback Bitumen, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cutback bitumen is a petroleum product produced by diluting bitumen in petroleum hydrocarbon (Kerosene).
The aim is to decrease the viscosity and increase the penetration of bitumen on asphalt surfaces.
During the visit to the newly opened Cutback Bitumen Storage and Processing plant in Djibouti, CEO of Kalub General Trading, Seid Daud, disclosed to the team led by Dr. Mohamed Hassen Deputy Head of Mission of the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti, about the company’s aspirations to be the number one supplier of all type of cutback bitumen grades in East Africa.
The material will be transported via pipelines directly from the vessel to the plant for storage and processing using state-of-the-art digitally automated machines, according to Engineer Mudhir Khalif, General Manager of the company.
This would massively reduce unwanted quality compromises and decrease the cost thereby making it affordable for buyers.
Aimed at reducing the cost of importing barrels from abroad, the company will also open a plant in Dire Dawa soon, Seid Daud noted.
Deputy Head of Mission of the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti, Dr. Mohamed Hassen on his part, commended the owners of the company in their efforts to address bitumen supply shortages while boosting quality and reducing cost as well as creating employment opportunities in Djibouti, reiterated the Embassy’s continued commitment to support the company in its existing and future business as well as investment endeavors.
Member of Parliament and a media personality Mohamed bin Mohamed Al Arossi and scores of high-level officials were in attendance.