Financial Times

DHL in deal with Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters’ Association
DHL, a big express and logistics company, has announced a strategic tie-up with the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters’ Association (SLAEA) as its ‘Preferred Logistics Partner’.

The agreement was inked by DHL Sri Lanka Country Manager Chaminda Hewamallika and A. Sukumaran, Chairman of the SLAEA, the company said in a statement. Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile industry represents the largest slice of DHL’s customer base. “The company has, over the years, built a successful partnership with the industry by working hand-in-hand with the apparel and textile manufacturers, and facilitating their international logistics and transportation needs,” Hewamallika said.

DHL has worked closely with the SLAEA in lobbying the relevant regulatory bodies to review some of the prevailing trade-related regulations in accordance with today’s international market dynamics.

“We’re fully committed to supporting the future endeavours of the Association in areas such as reducing the lead times in reaching the international markets, by providing innovative and efficient logistics and shipping solutions.

Another aspect we would like to collaborate with the SLAEA is in trade facilitation where we would lobby with the relevant regulatory bodies to review some of the prevailing import and export regulations in accordance with today’s international market dynamics.

Some of our product and service innovations such as Fashion First and Express Pallet were conceived as a direct result of our specialized focus on the apparel and textile industry,” Hewamallika added. A. Sukumaran of SLAEA said, “The services of an express delivery company forms an integral part of the distribution requirements of the apparel exporters, and it is essential that companies such as DHL continuously innovate new shipping solutions which would enable our exporters to compete effectively in the global market. “Through this partnership, we intend to work closely with DHL to identify potential logistics and distribution opportunities and solutions.

We will also conduct awareness programmes among our members about new developments in the logistics and distribution field, which would enable them to gain a competitive advantage. These programmes will be conducted by industry specialists from DHL.”

DHL currently uses direct flights to the major apparel markets such as the USA and the UK in order to offer the fastest delivery times to the local apparel and textile exporters.

DHL’s recent investment in a Quality Control Centre in Ja-Ela and the facility’s enhanced shipment tracking applications are aimed at providing a seamless express and logistics service solution to these exporters.

“Both DHL and the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters’ Association share the common vision of enhancing Sri Lanka’s status as a competitive player in the international apparel market, especially in a quota-less environment.

Our extensive international reach will not only enable Sri Lankan apparel exporters to ‘clinch the deal’ with their prospective buyers faster and more reliably, but will also facilitate their endeavours to reach new markets,” Hewamallika said.

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