- DHL Global Forwarding opens first office in Tripoli to provide international freight, domestic and cross-border trucking services

TRIPOLI, Libya, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL, has opened its first office in Libya as a faster than expected recovery in oil and hydrocarbon production drives a new era of economic growth (Note 1). In addition to DHL's global network, DHL Global Forwarding will offer customers in key sectors -- namely, oil and energy, construction, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals -- access to international standard services such as documentation handling, customs clearance and warehousing, air and ocean freight, domestic and cross-border trucking.

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Thomas Nieszner, CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "Libya is opening up to investors from all over the world to help develop the oil rich country. The country's post-revolution oil recovery has advanced faster than expected. Production for 2012 is close to 90 percent of pre-conflict levels and is expected to match pre-conflict levels in 2013. (Note 2) This is spurring increased public spending to rebuild the nation as well as all-round economic growth, both of which require logistics support of the kind that DHL is best-equipped to provide."

A major oil exporter with a population of 6.5 million and a per capita GDP of US$5,510 in 2011 (Note 3), Libya's oil production for 2012 is up to 1.52 million barrels a day versus an average of 166,000 per day in 2011. Real GDP growth for 2012 is expected to be 122 per cent -- following a contraction of 60 percent in 2011 -- and remain strong in the near term at 17 percent in 2013. GDP growth from 2014-17 (Note 4) is expected to average 7 percent.

Located close to Tripoli's business centre, DHL Global Forwarding opens its doors with staff strength of six. The team will serve clients in all major Libyan provinces and territories including Benghazi, Musrata, Sirte and Sabha, operating through three main ports -- Tripoli, Khoms and Benghazi -- and the two main airports of Tripoli and Benina. All in all, DHL Global Forwarding is resource-ready to help support Libya's growth as development of DHL's operations and service portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa becomes a key focus for the company in the coming years.

Claudio Scandella, CEO, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "Strategically located on the North African coast with significant oil reserves, Libya is attracting major international corporations in many fields and witnessing the revival of robust local companies. The opening of the Libyan office shows DHL's commitment to the potential we see in the continent. The trade triangle between Africa, the Middle East and Asia will shape the future of global trade and DHL's continued investment in people and processes ensures that businesses -- both local and international -- have access to world-class logistics operations across the region."

Hazem Ibrahim, Country Manager, DHL Global Forwarding, Libya, said: "Following the formation of Libya's new government, we believe this is the right time to step in and offer logistics support to Libya's global partners and local traders. The products and services offered by DHL Global Forwarding extend from standardized logistics operations to multi-modal transport solutions and highly individualized industrial projects, all of which Libya needs to build its recovery, maintain stability and gain confidence."

While this is DHL Global Forwarding's first office in Libya, DHL has had a presence in the country through its Express division since 1989.

Notes:

1. WORLD ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SURVEYS. Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia November 2012. ©2012 International Monetary Fund.
2. Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia November 2012. ©2012 International Monetary Fund.
3. IMF Regional Economic Outlook database and Microsoft Map Land.
4. WORLD ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SURVEYS, Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia November 2012. ©2012 International Monetary Fund.

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