Pedro Rodriguez Zaragoza Chairman GIL West Africa Chapter
Pedro Rodriguez Zaragoza was appointed as the inaugural Chairman of the Institute’s West Africa Chapter in 2012. The Chapter was formed in response to the emergence of the African Continent as a key trading area in the world economy. Pedro Rodriguez is regarded as the regions premier “Thought Leader” on port development in the region. The Chapter hosts a regional edition of the World Port Strategy Forum on a bi-annual basis, the next edition is planned for 2015.
Heis the current President of the five seaports of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Dedicating much of his professional career to the public sector, he began in the Regional Ministry of Education as the General Manager of Planning before holding the post of General Manager of Assets and Recruitment for the Regional Ministry of Economy and Finance. He also served as Chief of staff for the President of the Canary Government and Regional Deputy Public Administrations Minister, before representing Spain in the Commission on sustainable development in the local and regional European Congress.Prior to being appointed the Port Authority President, he served as the Regional Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Canary Islands.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port Authority, which operates under Spanish law, is one of 28 national ports, and comprises the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Los Cristianos, San Sebastián de La Gomera and La Estaca.Tenerife is quite a tourist hotspot, and this is reflected in the port having the largest throughput of tourists in the Canary Islands and the second largest for all of Spain, with nearly 5 million passengers in 2011.
The port boasts excellent draft which sees it well equipped to handle even the largest vessels. With its proximity to Western Africa, and touting its European jurisdiction, the port is well placed to become the preeminent gateway for the West African region.
Currently the Port Authority is investing heavily to secure the port’s role as the entry point for the growing West African markets.
It is, in essence, ‘A European Port in West Africa’.
PORT OF TENERIFE HOMEPAGE

West African Chairman: Mr. Pedro Rodríguez Zaragoza
Email: web@puertosdetenerife.org
Tel: (34) 922 605 445
Address:
Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Avenida Francisco de La Roche, 49,
Edificio Junta del Puerto,
38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife,
Canary Islands,
Spain
Website: http://www.puertosdetenerife.org/