DHL invests US$ 8 million in Sri Lanka

DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, said that it will invest US$8 million in Sri Lanka over three years. In addition the company announced a joint venture (JV) agreement with Capitol AEI Pvt. Ltd, its long-standing partner to form DHL Global Forwarding Lanka. - The investments will go towards the joint venture, employee training, upgrading of information systems and introducing an enhanced range of services for businesses in Sri Lanka.

As part of this investment, by end 2009, DHL will also launch the “DHL Fashion and Apparel Centre for Excellence” in Colombo.

The centre will comprise a core team of industry experts and be responsible for developing tailored solutions and provide consultancy services to customers. DHL Global Forwarding CEO for South Asia Pacific Amadou Diallo said, “We are very optimistic about Sri Lanka’s growth potential.

Being strategically located along the major air and sea routes between Europe and the Far East, Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the increasing trade flows between South Asia and Europe.”

The fashion and apparel industry, Sri Lanka’s biggest source of revenue to its economy, is one of the core focus areas for DHL Global Forwarding in Asia Pacific.

This industry contributes nearly 8 per cent to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product and accounts for 45 per cent of Sri Lanka’s export revenue and 67 per cent of total industrial exports.