DHL achieves 10pc growth in Bahrain
Manama, January 20, 2012
Global courier company DHL registered a 10 per cent increase in business at its Bahrain operations last year.
Despite the unrest, the firm was able to boost trade and plans to expand its services, said DHL Express Middle East and North Africa chief executive officer Nour Sulaiman.
"We have weathered the year well and we expect there will be more growth in business this year," he told the Gulf Daily News on the sidelines of the Bahrain International Airshow.
"Despite the slowdown, we could achieve this much and that is creditable. Hopefully, the worst is behind us and we will see a huge growth now."
Sulaiman said DHL was looking to expand its services in Bahrain this year. "We have plans to open more outlets and facilities to serve more people and will be recruiting many more people," he said.
DHL has been in Bahrain for 35 years and employs 1,200 people here, 95 per cent of who are Bahrainis.
"Most of the new recruits will also be Bahrainis," said Sulaiman.
"Bahrain already hosts DHL's regional hub and has provided it with continuous support over the years.
"DHL has invited its clients from all over the region to attend the event as guests of DHL Express."
Sulaiman said this year's show was a key event for the company and reinforced Bahrain's position as a logistics hub for the region and the gateway to the rest of the Middle East.
"Last year's show saw $1billion (BD378 million) worth of deals signed by international participants and the unprecedented growth the aviation sector is experiencing over recent years is expected to continue well into 2020, so I expect to see this figure increase at this year's show," he said.
He said DHL's Bahrain operations were a central platform in the company's air network operations across the Middle East and covered almost 90 countries.
The company is showcasing its new 757-200, equipped with a two-crew glass cockpit, along with more fuel-efficient engines, which will help cut emissions and better align the airline with our Go Green Initiative at the show. - TradeArabia News Service
