DHL considers Ghana a key market
Leading international express and logistics company, DHL Express, considers Ghana as a key market for growth within Sub Saharan Africa.
This is in spite of the recent economic downturn and headwinds that the continent is experiencing and DHL firmly believes that Africa is still one of the last frontiers for growth.
A statement signed by Olawale Adetula, Marketing & Communications Manager – West Africa of the company and copied to the Ghana News Agency said.
Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, who is in the country to meet with key stakeholders, customers, employees and the media, made the comments at a recent meeting.
He said “Ghana is one of our fastest growing markets and, with a population of over 25.9 million, presents a major opportunity. Ecobank recently released their list of 5 five hotspots for investment in Africa, and Ghana was one of them – with a projected GDP growth of 5 per cent.
The statement said although the declining commodity prices have presented some challenges, along with severe electricity challenges, the outlook remains positive for Ghana.
It said government is working closely with the IMF on economic reform plans and as the shift from B2B to B2C intensifies, investment in infrastructure will elevate efficiencies.
“We already have a robust retail offering across the country, with over 328 retail outlets, selling DHL Express services. Our retail offering and footprint allows anyone – from a student to a small business – to access our network, and the over 220 countries and destinations that we serve, with great ease and convenience,” the statement said.
“We consider SMEs as the engines for growth and our highly trained Certified International Specialists in Ghana are committed to connect the SMEs in Ghana with global opportunities. DHL’s own research, conducted with IHS Global Insight, has shown that SMEs who trade internationally are twice as successful as those who trade only within their own market.
Before the end of 2016, will we be launching our Growing Beyond Borders entrepreneurial training program in Accra in the coming months – an innovative programme specifically designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) understand the economic potential of international trade and the subsequent benefits to their business,” the statement said.
Heymans said: “our people are the lifeblood of our organization and we believe in fostering a continuous learning and development culture. Having motivated people is the first pillar of our global Focus strategy, which enables us to provide great quality and retain our loyal customers. We aim to be the logistics provider that people turn to first – not only for all their shipping needs, but also as an employee or investor. We are also delighted with our 2016 Top Employer certification in Ghana.
The statement said: “as the market leader, we will continue to invest in our people, equipment and facilities to ensure that we continue to exceed the demands of our customers. As the first and largest express logistics company in Africa, we are well-positioned to service the growth of Ghana, ensuring its accessibility and attractiveness on a global scale”
Source: GNA