Oakland, CA – Dec. 9, 2010 – Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar R. Benjamin spoke at the “Building Oakland” business breakfast hosted by the San Francisco Business Times Friday morning, December 3, 2010. Executive Director Benjamin congratulated Mayor-elect Jean Quan on her historic victory in Oakland as the first Asian American and first woman to be elected mayor of Oakland. In his remarks, Benjamin extended an invitation to Mayor-elect Quan to join him on the Port’s next trade mission to Asia to meet Port of Oakland’s overseas customers. The trade mission is part of the Port’s Strategic Plan which includes aggressively growing trade through the Oakland seaport. To see the Plan please go to https://www.portofoakland.com and click on the Port Strategic Plan PDF under the “Features” section on the home page.

Executive Director Benjamin talked about the importance of the Port of Oakland partnering with local to global clients to expand export business through the Oakland seaport. This is in support of the National Export Initiative which calls for doubling U.S. exports by 2015. In November 2010, the Port and China Merchants Holdings International Company Limited (CMHI) entered into an agreement to strategically market and develop supply chain solutions for U.S. exports, in particular agricultural commodities and perishable products like those from California’s Central Valley. A delegation from the Port of Oakland, led by First Vice President of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners Pamela Calloway, participated in the agreement signing ceremony held at CMHI’s Hong Kong headquarters November 5, 2010.

At the “Building Oakland” business breakfast, Port Executive Director Benjamin emphasized the Port of Oakland’s vision as well as its role as a partner locally to globally, “Through our Strategic Plan we are working to be an innovative and sustainable Port though an aggressive focus on business and optimal performance.” Mr. Benjamin highlighted major projects in and around the Port of Oakland including redevelopment of the Port’s former Oakland Army Base property into a Trade and Logistics Center (TLC), shore power for ships at berth for cleaner air, waterfront development such as Oak to Ninth and Jack London Square, renovation of Terminal 1 at Oakland International Airport, the BART/Oakland Airport Connector, and the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control tower now under construction at Oakland International. Benjamin stated in effect that these projects combined translate into jobs, significant economic impact, and cleaner air for Oakland and the region. Benjamin also thanked the Port Commissioners for their dedicated work with staff on completing the Port’s 5-year Strategic Plan that will serve to guide the organization through FY 2015.

Mr. Benjamin concluded, “Everyone in this room is connected to the success of the Port! ...We know that Oakland is a great place to invest and we are pleased to be your Port and your partner in building Oakland.”

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport, offering over 130 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Please visit: www.portofoakland.com.

Media Contacts:

Marilyn Sandifur
Port of Oakland Spokesperson
(510) 627-1193
Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur