DHL capitalising on trade ties between UAE, China

DHL has emerged as a key facilitator of trade between the Middle East and China through the provision of logistics and express services.

The company provides guidance and logistics expertise to many professional buyers throughout the Middle East, India and Africa importing from and exporting to China.

The UAE is China's second-biggest trading partner in the GCC, while DHL is one of the largest providers of express solutions for imports from and exports to China. The company operates in China via 11 dedicated gateways – including major facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen – and more than 163 service centres, 56 stations, 6,000 employees, 1,500 vehicles, 21 quality control centres. It serves more than 300 cities and has been operating in the world's second largest economy for more than 26 years.

DHL China is the first international express company to provide handling of all domestic and international shipments, offering market-leading network coverage. In addition to the company's own flight network, DHL also uses commercial flights with scheduled times to many destinations.

The firm emphasised the importance of its role at the China Sourcing Fair in Dubai, the region's largest-ever exhibition of its kind.

"DHL has developed significant and efficient UAE-China trade services over the years into our enhanced one-stop-shop offering and expertise," said Janet Jweihan, DHL Express Country Manager, UAE.

"Our presence at the fair underlined the key position we hold in this growing trade market.

"With our centralised customer clearance at state-of the-art hubs, advanced technology inspection equipment, fast-track customs clearance systems and specially trained staff, we support our customers to achieve more efficient shipping activities to and from China, saving both time and money."

DHL customers can use time definite services including the specialised Import Express solution to move goods from China to the UAE or any other destination and pay for the freight costs in the UAE – receiving one invoice and paying in their home currency. Shipments stay within the DHL system from origin to destination, allowing easy tracking at any time.

"Being the first international express company to enter both the UAE and China, DHL has an extensive history and excellent local knowledge of both markets," added Jweihan. "Building on more than 30 and 26 years of operations in each market respectively, we have the facilities, expertise and pool of people to transport shipments quickly, reliably, and securely to and from China."

Bill Janeri, General Manager Middle East, Global Sources, said: "As many buyers in the UAE are increasing their imports from China they are looking to work with service providers that understand the ins and outs of doing business with the mainland.