Deutsche Post DHL Group, one of the world’s leading mail and logistics services providers, yesterday announced a plan to invest between 10 million and 20 million euros (US$10.86 million to US$21.71 million) in Taiwan in the coming years, eyeing good infrastructure and the reliable growth outlook of the nation.
The investment is part of the group’s plan to raise its revenue in emerging market from 22 percent to 30 percent of its global revenue by the end of 2020, a group executive said yesterday.
“This means a substantial increase in absolute revenue growth in emerging markets,” Deutsche Post DHL chief executive Frank Appel told a media briefing on his first visit to Taipei.
Photo: Wang Meng-lun, Taipei Times
The e-commerce sector and the dynamic growth of emerging markets would remain the leading growth drivers for the group’s business in the near term, Appel said.
Among Asia-Pacific markets, Taiwan remains attractive, with an ideal location in the region, good infrastructure and a strong high technology sector, Appel said, adding that Deutsche Post DHL would continue investing in warehouses, gateways and hubs in the nation.
However, Appel said that Taiwan has to drive a technological refresh in view of the decline of a high-tech sector that has focused on PCs, notebooks and smartphones to maintain its growth momentum.
In addition, retaining talent and fostering free-trade and global connections are the two other important issues for Taiwan’s sustainable economic development, he said.
Appel said the sharp decline in global crude oil prices from late last year would have a limited impact on Deutsche Post DHL’s business, as the group lowers the surcharge it charges its customers simultaneously.
Deutsche Post DHL’s revenue in the 2014 fiscal year totaled 56.6 billion euros, up 3.1 percent from the 54.9 billion euros recorded in fiscal year of 2013, the group said in a statement.
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