DHL sharpens focus on rising trade between India and Africa

DHL, the world's leading logistics company, today announced that its Global Forwarding division is focusing on Africa as a new engine of growth in the rapidly developing economy of India. With trade between India and Africa having risen almost four-fold in the last five years, from US$9.9 billion in 2004-05 to US$39 billion in 2008-09[2], DHL Global Forwarding sees vast potential in the India-Africa trade lane.

Amid the rising trade flows, India and Africa have expressed a strong commitment to reduce trade barriers and encourage bilateral trade to further fuel growth in both markets. DHL Global Forwarding shared these insights at the World Economic Forum held in New Delhi on 15 and 16 November.

"Logistics is a powerful economic enabler and forms one of the fundamental building blocks of external and internal trade," said Amadou Diallo, Chief Executive Officer, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding. "Africa is a key emerging market, with air cargo and ocean freight volumes between India and Africa expected to grow 9.8% and 9.2% CAGR from 2009 ' 2015[3] respectively. We are optimistic of DHL's growth potential in the India-Africa trade lane and given our extensive global network capabilities and sound expertise, we see tremendous business opportunities and to ensure businesses have access to world-class logistics operations across Africa."

In recent years, India is emerging as an important global investor in overseas markets, including Africa. From April 1996 to December 2007, India has invested US$5.7 billion in Africa[4]. India's major investments in Africa have taken place in the oil and gas, telecommunications, transport and information technology (IT) sectors.

Since 2004-2005, petroleum products have emerged as the largest items in India's exports to Africa, accounting for 22.2% of India's total exports to Africa from 2008-2009. This trend is mirrored in India's imports from Africa ' crude petroleum dominates as the major item imported from Africa, accounting for 58.6% of India's total imports from Africa from 2008-2009[5].

"Having established our expertise in several key sectors, including the oil and gas, telecommunications and IT sectors, DHL is well-positioned to leverage our capabilities and know-how in this area and help businesses extend their footprint in both expansive markets. In the last few years, we have opened dedicated operations in all important African economies and DHL's leadership in logistics and supply chain solutions ensures that we are the harbinger of economic growth in the region," Amadou Diallo added.

Besides establishing sound infrastructure, DHL Global Forwarding has developed a comprehensive suite of products and services to enable African and Indian companies to better manage their product flows in the supply chain. In addition, the company has allocated significant resources to facilitate growth in the India-Africa trade lane. It has set up India Desks in ten African countries to help businesses there, with plans to establish additional Desks in the next year.