India first to bounce back from slowdown?

India - India may be the first few countries to bounce back from smaller cargo volumes impacted by the slowdown in global consumer spending, says an executive at DHL at the launch of the DHL-Blue Dart air side facility.

The current global economic slowdown has affected the freight forwarding industry, causing smaller cargo volumes because of a decrease in global spending.

Malcolm Monteiro, senior VP and area director of South Asia for DHL told ProcurementAsia, "Unfortunately India has not been spared. Will India be among the first few countries to bounce back? Our answer is yes.  But the slowdown is there. We will continue to invest and keep base depending on the market but we will continue down this line."

Monteiro was speaking at the launch of the DHL-Blue Dart airside facility at the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL), the first of its kind in Asia. The initiative is expected to synergise the domestic and international express operations of both businesses in South India.

The 220,757 sq feet facility will provide faster clearance and seamless handling of inbound and outbound international and domestic shipments, which will strengthen both companies' global and domestic delivery network.

The facility is also expected to synergise both companies' operations, by reducing handling time, streamlining processes and optimising the utilisation of space and common resources through their dedicated aviation network, own maintenance and ground handling, the companies said.

Monteiro continued, "We were questioned whether we should be putting up this facility in times like this, but India is growing; slowly but it is growing. We will continue to make these kinds of investments because this is what facilitates trade and spurs growth."

Dan McHugh, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific said, "This infrastructure is benchmarked to successful global hubs that have self controlled operations and achieved outstanding results in facilitating trade," he said.

Anil Khanna, MD of Blue Dart Express said, "Our dedicated ground and air express services combined with our superior aviation infrastructure continues to be our key differentiator. This shared facility increases our competitive advantage."