3PL/Logistics

DHL has announced a new joint venture in Bangladesh with JV partner Trade Clippers Cargo, called DHL Global Forwarding Bangladesh

The new JV provides air- and ocean freight services, customs clearance and other value added services, as well as warehousing and distribution for air and ocean cargo It operates more than 70,000 sqft of warehouse space, some of which is located close to the airport

DHL will also invest US$10 million over the next few years to enhance its logistics capabilities in the country

As part of this investment, DHL also launched the DHL Fashion & Apparel Centre of Excellence in Dhaka to capitalise on the fashion logistics industry in South Asia, where the total spend on logistics services is estimated to be worth US$39 billion a year

Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, South Asia Pacific, said, "South Asia remains a key sourcing, manufacturing and distribution base for the global fashion industry, and the region offers tremendous growth for the fashion logistics sector"

He said that Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka alone are estimated to account for well over US$24 billion in this fast-growing industry

According to Thomas Tieber, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, South Asia, the new facility signals the company's commitment to the region, and while the immediate focus is to serve the fashion and apparel manufacturing base, DHL will leverage its network capabilities to support infrastructure projects in Bangladesh as well as fulfil the logistics needs of the growing life science and aid and relief sectors

The centre will be DHL's fourth Fashion & Apparel Centre of Excellence in South Asia, following the establishment of similar centers in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan