Deutsche Post DHL Group and the German government will promote e-commerce in developing and emerging countries, especially Africa, under a cooperation agreement that forms part of the logistics company’s new ‘Go Trade’ programme.
The agreement was signed yesterday by German minister Gerd Müller, who heads the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Over the next few years, the partners want to invest €30 million in the digitization of customs and trade processes, the promotion of e-commerce and low-emission logistics in cities. The cooperation will focus on Africa in particular.
The minister explained: "The Corona crisis is cutting trade relations in developing countries and plunging an additional 115 million people into poverty this year alone. Right now we have to keep global economic cycles running and ensure that the poor also benefit from it. Digitalization can make a big difference here. Many of our partner countries are already more advanced in digitization than we are in Germany – for example, when it comes to mobile payment.”
Appel underlined: “Cross border trade creates prosperity, improves lives and connects people – but in many regions there are still major hurdles. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development we are working decisively on removing those hurdles. GoTrade offers merchants who previously sold their goods regionally access to customers around the world. The programme engages especially in developing countries which have not yet benefited from globalization as much as others.”
Reducing trade barriers
A reduction of trade barriers through the use of digital solutions is to be tackled first in Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Trade barriers, such as bureaucratic, non-transparent – and thus often corruption-prone – customs procedures, hit developing countries particularly hard and make it more difficult for them to access world trade.
The BMZ and DPDHL Group will also continue their exchange on projects on green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
The partnership is to be implemented primarily through the develoPPP.de programme, through which the BMZ promotes entrepreneurial initiatives in developing and emerging countries that contribute to sustainable development on the ground. DPDHL Group will bear at least 2/3 of the costs of all measures.
GoTrade helps SMEs connect to the world
The agreement is part of DPDHL Group's new group-wide sustainability programme "GoTrade". This uses DHL's logistics expertise to help small and medium-sized companies with cross-border trade. In cooperation with public sector partners, such as national governments and multinational organizations, the programme also initiates projects that help speed up customs clearance, reduce delays at borders and generally reduce the costs of cross-border trade.
The aim of the initiative is to promote sustainable economic growth in the countries. In doing so, Deutsche Post DHL Group says it is making an important contribution to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Forth sustainability programme of Deutsche Post DHL Group
As part of its sustainability initiatives, Deutsche Post DHL Group is fully committed to achieving the SDGs – with the Group's "Go programmes" as well as the purpose of connecting people and improving lives. GoTrade is the fourth and youngest member of the Go programmes after GoTeach (career opportunities for young people), GoHelp (disaster management) and GoGreen (climate protection). These programmes are part of the Group's sustainability agenda focusing on the environment, social responsibility and responsible corporate governance.
