DHL invests $4.2m in Lebanon
DHL has completed a $4.2m investment programme in Lebanon – which includes the expansion of the DHL Express Beirut Airport Facility at Rafik Hariri International Airport. The outlay has also seen the creation a new logistics facility at the Beirut Free Zone, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of DHL Express in Lebanon.
The airside facility is the only logistics facility of its kind in Lebanon and DHL is the sole international express company operating such a capability, it confirmed.
The investment programme also “bolstered DHL’s network capabilities in Lebanon with the addition of three new service points and refurbishment of two locations. DHL customers in Lebanon can better leverage DHL’s Middle East logistics network, and stand to benefit from enhanced service quality and reduced shipment transit times,” a company statement said.
Garry Kemp, managing director, DHL Express Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), said: “DHL has invested ahead of the curve to ensure that we are well placed to meet the growing business needs of the Lebanese customer and developing economy. Despite the tough economic landscape, Lebanon has emerged strong and we expect this positive growth trend to continue.
“The Middle East remains a key growth region with strong business opportunities and DHL’s continued investment in Lebanon demonstrates the company’s confidence in the country’s growth potential,” he added.
With a vast increase in capacity, the DHL Express Beirut airport facility has doubled in size and now spans more than 6,000 square metres and serves as a gateway for both air and road shipment.
The facility is fully compliant with TAPA security guidelines, is temperature controlled and operates 24/7 throughout the year. The state of the art facilities and on-site customs clearance provide all the capabilities that allow DHL to ensure customer shipments are handled and delivered with maximum efficiency at the shortest transit timings, the company said.
Given the proximity to the airport taxi way, DHL has a strong advantage in terms of shipment control and cargo processing time. The DHL Express Beirut facility also hosts the ground operations base, customer service centre and will bring together core DHL operations such as customs clearance, sales, finance, IT and human resources under one roof to leverage operational synergies for better reaction times to business needs.
John Chedid, country manager, DHL Express Lebanon, said, “As we celebrate our 35th anniversary in Lebanon, we continue to look at innovative ways to meet the growing needs of our customers in Lebanon while strengthening DHL’s market leading position. The completion of the investment programme is testament to our commitment to expanding our business in tandem with the business community and economic landscape of Lebanon.”
In addition to the expansion of the DHL Express Beirut airport facility, the investment programme has also seen DHL establishing an Express Logistics facility at the Beirut Free Zone. This 1,200 square metre logistics facility provides DHL customers with a platform from which consignments can be stored and reconfigured in a bonded area for redistribution to destinations throughout the Middle East and beyond.
“With its proximity to Europe, Lebanon’s geographical position offers reduced shipping times from Asia to the Arab Gulf states, making it a viable redistribution point. Lebanon is creating a logistics corridor that will greatly enhance the country’s role as a regional logistics center and DHL is building its own infrastructure in parallel to ensure that it is equipped to serve its customers’ requirements,” Chedid added.
DHL was the first international express company to establish a presence in Lebanon in 1975. DHL Express Lebanon currently employs over 170 people and operates in nine locations across the country.
