Indian courier company DTDC has continued its international expansion by entering the Australianand Kuwaiti markets through partnerships.
DTDC, in which La Poste’s express parcels subsidiary GeoPost is set to buy a 40 per centstrategic stake, now has operations in 16 countries, mostly local franchisees, offering services toand from India and other international markets.
The Australian business is a venture between DTDC and Fast World Express Pty Ltd, in whichDTDC holds a 34 per cent minority stake. DTDC Fast World Express has branches in Sydney andMelbourne and plans to open up centres in Brisbane, Auckland and Perth through franchises.
In Kuwait, DTDC is now present through a franchise agreement with Kuwait Bayarek GeneralTrading and Contracting.
“The main objective of the joint venture is to provide service to the Indian diaspora inAustralia as well as provide delivery and distribution services for shipments from India whereasthe master franchisee in Kuwait has strengthened DTDC’s presence all over the Middle East includingGCC and MENA area,” Abhishek Chakraborthy, executive director of DTDC, told Indian newspapers.
DTDC is one of the largest courier operators in India with more than 300 offices and over5,800 franchisees, and delivers some 120 million consignments a year. It had turnover of some Rs4,250 million and net profits of Rs 200 million in the year ending March 2012, according to Indianmedia.
Founded in 1990, Bangalore-based DTDC has also expanded its international activities throughown offices, joint ventures and partnerships. In 2012, it acquired a 52 per cent stake in UAE-basedEurostar Express to expand in the Middle East and set up a Chinese joint venture with Beijing-basedAir Dragon Freight to target the increasing trade between India and China.
