DHL Express Middle East and North Africa regional hub to remain in Bahrain for at least 10 more years

Manama, May 18 (BNA): Bahrain is set to continue its growth as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional hub for global logistics giant DHL Express, following a signing ceremony to extend its current lease with Bahrain International Airport (BIA) for another 10 years. One of BIA’s most important strategic partners and a key contributor to the Kingdom’s economy, DHL Express operates a total area of 57,000 square metres at BIA with its activities accounting for 56 per cent of the airport’s total airfreight operations. The renewal will mean that DHL will celebrate half a century in Bahrain in the coming decade, during which it will continue to play a significant role in initiatives to turn logistics and air cargo into one of Bahrain’s primary industries, in line with the objectives of the Higher Coordinating Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah and DHL Express CEO for the Middle East and North Africa, Nour Suliman signed the extension of lease in the presence of the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and BAC Chairman Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, DHL Express Bahrain Chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa, DHL Express MENA Head of Operations, Bachi Spiga, DHL Express Bahrain HUB General Manager, Ali Aryan, and other officials from BAC and DHL. The minister said that the agreement between BAC and DHL Express reflects the company’s continued confidence in Bahrain, which has served as the regional hub for its operations for 42 years. “The agreement reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a leader in air transportation services, which supports the growth of logistics companies,” he said. “It is a milestone event that indicates the trust global companies have in the Kingdom, enhances BIA’s reputation as an important aviation hub, and maintains our logistics connectivity with the rest of the world. This, in turn, will support the country’s sustained economic growth in accordance with its Economic Vision 2030.” Suliman, said that Bahrain’s position in the Middle East “makes it a focal point for our business and for the industry as a whole.” “It has a distinctive geographical position, and a vision of becoming the logistics center for the region. With the logistics market steadily growing and expanding due to the rise of eCommerce, we too had to expand our business, and with Bahrain’s “Business Friendly” approach and excellent infrastructure, it is well established to accommodate that growth,” he said. BIA’s infrastructure is undergoing a major upgrade through the Airport Modernisation Programme, one of the most important national projects in the Kingdom’s history. The new Passenger Terminal Building will increase BIA capacity to 14 million passengers a year and its advanced technology will greatly enhance the speed and efficiency of the services provided to both passengers and companies operating out of the airport. The new facility will also provide opportunities to establish partnerships with logistics companies across the Middle East, opening the Kingdom up to new trade prospects.