DHL is building a hub in Istanbul. PHOTO: IGA

German logistics giant DHL is planning to concentrate more on Turkey's e-commerce sector, as it considers the country an important regional hub to fuel growth in the Middle Eastern and European markets.

DHL Express vice president of global sales programs Leendert Van Delft sees an operations centre at Istanbul Airport as a crucial element.

The Daily Sabah quotes Van Delft saying that speed is the most important competitive element in e-commerce. "Turkey is at the meeting point of Europe, Africa and Asia. We can move to many points in the Middle East and Africa more quickly through Turkey. This makes Turkey a very important country for us, and we are working to make it a regional hub," he says.

"Our operation centre at Istanbul Airport will be the first step in that direction."
Explaining the thinking behind the creation of a new airport facility, Van Delft told a recent conference: "Today, when you look at the world, everyone speaks of the US and China as e-commerce markets. But in the case of Turkey, you're not at the initial phase of this journey, but you have actually moved from the infancy to the stage of walking. It is time for Turkey to run now."

Having started operating in Turkey in 1981, DHL Express is an express air freight industry pioneer in the country. With a marketshare of over 50% in Turkey, DHL Express employs nearly 1,000 specialists and has 400 vehicles and approximately 40 offices all over Turkey.