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Martin Kadzere Senior Business Reporter
GLOBAL logistics and express company DHL sees Zimbabwe as a strategic business hub for its operations in Africa, saying the country’s future “is more positive than negative”. As such, the company intends to establish more service centres across the country by year-end. DHL Express sub-Saharan Africa director Mr Charles Brewer, who is in the country meeting stakeholders said the company would continue its expansion and investment strategy across Sub-Saharan Africa, and considers Zimbabwe as a key market.

In less than six months, the company increased its service points from four to 55 and is expected to add another 45 by end of this month before reaching 500 by year-end.

“We have made great strides in making logistics more accessible by expanding our retail footprint across the country,” said Mr Brewer.

“This allows anyone – from a student to a small business – to access our network, and the over 220 countries and destinations that we serve.

“There are hundreds of SMEs in Zimbabwe and we need to provide easy access and a team of highly trained Certified International Specialists to lead them to the very obvious opportunities that trading with the world can present.

“DHL is committed to becoming their provider of choice and as part of that journey we will provide even more access points across Zimbabwe.

“We continue to foresee SMEs as the engine for growth in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole.”

Outside the expansion of its retail footprint, DHL’s other priority is around people development and employee engagement.

“Our people are at the very core of our business.

“The calibre of human talent available in Zimbabwe and across Sub Saharan Africa is extraordinary and we place great importance on continually developing employees’ talent and engagement levels.

“If developed and managed correctly, these engagement levels can result in employees offering exceptional service to clients.”

Mr Brewer said the local operation had been performing well, registering double digit growth in terms of volumes.

“In the short term it is more important for us to stay focused on helping to grow the SMEs because they are the future Zimbabwe.

“How can we empower, grow, provide knowledge, incentivise, make it financially attractive for an SME to think outside Zimbabwe, to think how do I do business with South Africa, China UK and USA. If we can help facilitate that trade growth it will create jobs,” said Mr Brewer.