DHL considering Sri Lanka as South Asia’s Global Logistics Hub

DHL considering Sri Lanka as South Asia’s Global Logistics Hub

The world’s leading air and ocean freight provider DHL, which has operated in Sri Lanka for over 25 years, is exploring the possibility of setting up a global logistics hub in Sri Lanka to serve the South Asian region. This followed the recent signing by DHL of a BOI approved joint venture where a commitment was made to invest US$ 8 million.

The visit by Mr. Hermann Ude, Board Member of Deutsche Post DHL and CEO of DHL Global Forwarding & Freight to Sri Lanka, is proof of the interest this Global 100 company has in the country as a future global logistics centre for South Asia. Mr. Ude will be holding discussions with Hon. Mano Wijeratne, Minister of Enterprise Development and Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman/ Director General of the BOI.

Mr. Ude’s delegation includes senior company officials including his chief of staff Mr. Christian Allecote, Ms Anne Schaefer, Director Strategic Planning, South Asia Pacific, Mr. Amadou Diallo, CEO for South Asia Pacific and Mr. Thomas Tieber, CEO for South Asia.

The delegation is visiting Sri Lanka on a fact-finding mission as the island is strategically located to set up a multi national gateway to serve India, Bangladesh, Pakistan as well as other SAARC countries. DHL have already introduced a number of innovations in Sri Lanka such as GPS tracking and Garments-on-hanger boxes for the fashion and apparel industry.

Sri Lanka’s strategic location on the East-West trading route, progressive trade policies, highly literate work force and developed ICT infrastructure offers considerable opportunities for the logistics sector.

The Mahinda Chinthana, the economic and social blueprint of the Government, is committed to develop Sri Lanka as a logistics hub for South Asia. The Board of Investment in association with the Strategic Enterprises Management Agency, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Airport and Aviation Services Limited have adopted long-term strategies aimed at developing the country into a logistics hub.