DHL will invest $8 million in Pakistan in the next three years. Its plans include construction of new state-of-the-art Airside Express Logistic Centres in Karachi and Lahore and upgradation of all its facilities.
The announcement was made by the company here on Wednesday at the ground breaking ceremony of DHL Pakistan's Airside Express Logistic Centre at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
DHL, world's leading express and logistics company, said that this latest investment "is a reaffirmation of DHL's commitment to partnering with Pakistan and the country's business community".
In a message read out on the occasion, Scott Price, CEO of DHL Express, Asia-Pacific, said: "DHL has a long history of successful partnership with Pakistan, such as the joint venture between DHL International and DHL Pakistan spanning more than 23 years. It is our intention to continue building on this relationship well into the future."
He noted that Pakistan "is an important market" for DHL and a significant country in the growth of the company's business in the Asia Pacific region.
"In recent months, there have been clear indications of a sustainable return of political certainty and strong macro-economic fundamentals. At the same time, the region is seeing very buoyant levels of intra-Asian and international trade. All these factors combined provide very favourable conditions in which we can maintain the double-digit growth of our Pakistan operations", he said.
DHL's inbound and outbound shipment volumes for Pakistan have also increased markedly and this has made it necessary to increase the frequency of its dedicated flights into and out of Karachi and Lahore, DHL's gateways in Pakistan, to the rest of the world.
"We are an integral part of the supply chain process, and this is demonstrated by the strong headway we have made in the area of logistics in Pakistan as well as throughout the region. We have secured significant logistics contracts in Pakistan from leading multinational and local companies", Price added.
Salim Awan, Managing Director, DHL Pakistan, said, "In response to growing volumes and increased demand for specialised logistics solutions, DHL is initiating its investment plans in Pakistan by building a new Airside Express Logistic Centre in Karachi. This state-of-the-art building is expected to be completed in 2007, and will allow all inbound and outbound shipments to be cleared much faster, with shorter lead times for customers' shipments. This would facilitate trade by shortening transit times and assisting quick customs clearance for both exporters and importers."
He said that in spite of growing shipment volumes, DHL was not merely a mover of goods but also a facilitator of trade and business. "We are committed to work with the Pakistan regulatory authorities to streamline import and export procedures so that Pakistani companies operating in the global market have a time-to-market advantage, keeping in view Pakistan's recent entry in the WTO fold."
With the annual revenues of over 24 billion euros in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with world-wide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets.
DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories world-wide. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. DHL is 100 percent owned by Deutsche Post World Net.
DHL Pakistan has been operating in Pakistan since 1982 as a joint venture between DHL International and DHL Pakistan. Salim Awan, who is the MD and CEO, heads DHL Pakistan. Today, DHL is the largest air express company in Pakistan, with over 33 locations (gateways, service and express centres) and supported by over 190 vehicles. DHL Pakistan not only delivers documents and heavy weight parcels but also gives value-added and innovative service to its customers.
DHL Pakistan founder Brigadier Saiq Awan also spoke on the occasion, while a large number of Civil Aviation Authority and Jinnah International Airport officers attended the programme.