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Suwadjaan told reoporters Friday that the "volume of cargoes is expected" after the project's completion, which started February last year.
Suwadjaan said currently many exporters especially those from the banana sector, are using the more expensive private ports.
Once completed, he said, these firms are expected to flock to government ports because “it is cheaper.
Cargo handling in private ports is 50 percent higher due to added taxes.
The new port, Suwadjaan said is bigger and deeper, and can accommodate bigger vessels. Other ports are only 10 meters deep while the new port will be 15 meters deep.
The P396-M port expansion is expected to be completed in August this year, five months ahead of its scheduled date of completion.
Cerge Remonde, secretary of the Presidential Management Staff visited the port and said its expansion is one of the priority projects of President Arroyo.
"Ports have a big part to play in the country's economy,” Remonde said. (MindaNews)