DHL launches new service

DHL, the world’s leading express services and logistics company, on Wednesday, June 10th, launced a new online resource centre, http://dhl-smeworld.com, dedicated for micro, small and medium-size enterprises (SME) in 38 countries across Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.{{more}}

This portal offers the industry’s most comprehensive resources and data bank and provides entrepreneurs with a one-stop shop for tools they require to grow their business, including international trade information on the world’s top 30 economies, advanced resources, specialized consulting on imports, exports and customs, online shipping tools, and an extensive business global network in over 180 countries.

“Tapping into today’s global market is possible despite the size of your business. We understand entrepreneurs. We started as one, too,” said Jaime Hooker, Vice President of DHL Express Caribbean. “Research conducted by the Global Export Network (RGX) indicates that Latin American SME consider Internet tools important for capturing new business opportunities. The online resource center we are introducing today is designed to enable entrepreneurs with access to thousands of hundreds of new potential businesses around the world”.

According to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), SME are responsible for generating 25% to 40% of employment in the region, as well as between 15% to 25% of the total production of goods and services. The role of small and medium-size enterprises as exporters is reduced, but nonetheless significant due to its large potential for growth, accounting for 1% to 3% of the total exports in the region.

One of the unique features of the new portal www.dhl-smeworld.com is the ability to connect all users with an extensive global market. In alliance with OneWorld Yellow Pages, DHL opens the door to an international network of businesses offering the navigation of more than 110,000 products and types of services offered by members from more than 180 countries. This platform also enables participating companies to promote and trade their products and services internationally and acquire new clients.

In addition to offering free expert advice and resources, the site provides relevant and detailed information on how to conduct businesses and trade in 30 of the world’s largest economies- from customs regulations to import and export procedures, specifications required on products and services as well as general country outlook on macroeconomics and culture. The web portal, http://dhl-smeworld.com/, is constantly updated with relevant information specific to the local market. Also, small and medium-size enterprises can access international trade tools free of charge, including DHL’s e-tools- whether email based or web based to facilitate the import or export process- as well as other useful resources such as online currency exchange converter, DHL trade automated services, customs forms, and more.

Access to the web site is not restricted to DHL clients, so any business or entrepreneur can leverage the resources and information. The website is currently available in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, and will soon be extended to 30 additional countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean by July 2009. For more details, please visit http://dhl-smeworld.com/