Deutsche Post DHL Promotes E-Commerce in Developing Countries

Deutsche Post AG collaborates with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to provide small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries access to the global market. Cross-border trade is expected to create prosperity and a better life in emerging countries.

(Bonn/Berlin) – Providing small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries access to global markets is the goal of a collaboration between the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group.

The partners aim to invest 30 million euros in the coming years into the digitization of customs and trade processes, the promotion of e-commerce, and low-emission logistics in cities. The focus of the collaboration is Africa. A corresponding agreement was signed today by Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Müller and the CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group, Frank Appel.

Digital System to Support Customs Clearance

Development Minister Gerd Müller: “Due to the Corona crisis and the lockdown, supply chains in developing countries have been disrupted. Millions of companies are struggling to survive. Right now, we must keep economic cycles running. Bureaucratic customs processes and corruption hinder intra-African trade. This is where we are working together with Deutsche Post DHL Group: With a new digital system, we help medium-sized African companies to handle customs clearance completely digitally. We are starting in Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Through new e-commerce platforms, we are also creating new sales markets worldwide. All of this accelerates trade, creates transparency, and enables enormous leaps in development. We place a special emphasis on training and promoting women as entrepreneurs. And we consciously focus on digitization. Because nowhere is digitization advancing faster than in Africa. Some African countries are already ahead of Europe – for example, in cashless payments via smartphone.”

Merchants Gain Access to Customers Worldwide

Deutsche Post DHL Group CEO Frank Appel: “Cross-border trade creates prosperity, improves lives, and connects people, but in many regions, there are still significant hurdles. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, we are determined to eliminate these hurdles. Merchants who have previously sold their goods regionally will gain access to customers worldwide. To this end, we have also launched our new sustainability program GoTrade. The program is primarily aimed at developing countries that have not yet benefited from globalization as much as others.”

Bureaucratic Customs Procedures Hit Developing Countries Hardest

Reducing trade barriers through the use of digital solutions will initially be addressed in Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Trade barriers, such as bureaucratic, opaque – and often corruption-prone – customs procedures, hit developing countries particularly hard and hinder their access to world trade. The BMZ and DPDHL Group will also continue their exchange on projects related to green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.

The partnership is to be implemented primarily within the framework of the develoPPP.de program, which promotes entrepreneurial initiatives in developing and emerging countries that contribute to sustainable development on-site. DPDHL Group will cover at least two-thirds of the costs of all measures.

GoTrade Unlocks the Potential of Globalization in Developing and Emerging Countries

The agreement signed today is part of DPDHL Group’s new, company-wide sustainability program “GoTrade.” The program leverages DHL’s logistics expertise to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in cross-border trade. In collaboration with public sector partners, such as national governments and multinational organizations, projects will also be initiated to help accelerate customs clearance, reduce delays at borders, and generally lower the costs of cross-border trade.

The initiative aims to promote sustainable economic growth in the countries. In this way, Deutsche Post DHL Group makes an important contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fourth Go Sustainability Program of Deutsche Post DHL Group

As part of its sustainability initiatives, Deutsche Post DHL Group is committed to achieving the SDGs comprehensively – with the company’s “Go Programs” and with the purpose of connecting people and improving lives. GoTrade is the fourth and latest member of the Go Programs after GoTeach (career opportunities for young people), GoHelp (disaster management), and GoGreen (climate protection). These programs are part of the company’s sustainability agenda, focusing on the environment, social responsibility, and responsible corporate governance.

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