DHL expands Indonesia, launchings operations in Manado and Palembang

AIR and ocean freight specialist and a division of Deutsche Post DHL, DHL Global Forwarding, is expanding its operations in Indonesia with the opening of two additional offices to serve six new economic corridors under development by Indonesia.

The company's operations in Manado and Palembang will join DHL group's existing seven offices - including one launched in Ujung Pandang earlier this year - and 40 terminals that make up its Indonesian network. More offices are also in the pipeline for 2014 and 2015.

"Indonesia is one of the four MIST countries - Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey - identified as the next group of fast-growing economies by both economists and DHL alike," said DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific CEO Kelvin Leung.

"Indonesia is poised for rapid growth as the government pursues its economic strategy and invests in infrastructure to create first class logistics capabilities by 2025," he said.

New Manado and Palembang operations will begin before the end of the year. Manado is one of Indonesia's fastest growing areas with 7.3 per cent economic growth and exports valued at US$63.2 million in January. Manado-Bitung Port is being designated as an Integrated Economy Development Area (KAPET) and a new toll road between city and port will open next year to boost trade in fish and seafood, coffee, spices and mining.

Palembang is the capital and second largest city of Sumatra. Its exports reached US$300 million in January. Infrastructure developments in Palembang include toll roads, cargo terminals, power plants and integrated terminals for land, river and rail transport to support growth of two economic corridors between Java and Sumatra. Its major commodities include coal, cocoa, spices, coffee, rubber, pulp and paper.