Fast clearance logistics service for businesses:

DHL opens Airside Gateway facility

Harshini PERERA

DHL Express announced the opening of its new Airside Gateway Facility inside the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake - terminal 3 yesterday.

DHL has invested Rs 43 million on the new Airside Gateway Facility.

The company has extended Euro 2.2 billion for logistics facilities in the South Asian region from New Zealand in the hope of facilitating trade in the region.

John Keells Transportation Group President Romesh David, DHL Sri Lankan Country Manager Manish Patel, DHL Express Senior Vice-President and Area Director Malcolm Monteiro, DHL Vice President Ramesh Natarajan and Customs Director General Sarath Jayatilake at the launch. Picture by Wimal Karunatillake

The new Airside Gateway Facility is the fourth Gateway that is being set up by DHL in the South Asian region other than the Gateways in Karachchi, New-Delhi and Bangalore.

“Service providers such as DHL Express will be a catalyst in becoming the most dynamic trading hub in Asia that delivers fast cargo services. As a result the supply of raw materials for the industry and output of export production will be faster.

It will enhance the support rendered to industrialists by logistics service providers,” Airport and Aviation Chairman Prasanna Wickremasuriya said at the launch of the new Gateway Facility.

The new Airside Gateway Facility will reduce the transit time up by half a day and will be the best facility provided to the business community. DHL Express has a 49 percent of market share in Sri Lanka.

In the business world, it is essential to supply productive and fast clearance logistics services and it is more viable with private and public partnerships such as the partnership between DHL Express, Customs Director General Sarath Jayatilake said.

“Our trading will grow in volumes in the development of the country’s trade and economy. The progress is reinforcing by providing the necessary facilities for a better logistics service.

There are almost 10 offices that provide logistics services at the Bandaranaike International Airport and 80 percent of the clearance is done prior to the arrival of cargo.

It is important to provide a fast service as logistics plays a vital role in trading of the country,” Jayatilake said.The service of DHL Express ensures that fast clearance takes place as the documents are handled depending on the electronic data of the shipment,” DHL Sri Lanka Country Manager Manish Patel said.

He said as Sri Lanka is trying to place itself as a global player in the global trade our services would assistance in getting to it.