Aramex and DHL have announced they have signed deals with Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH).

Aramex said under its agreement it will cater to the express and logistics needs of the 350 financial and insurance institutions that will be operating in the $1.3-billion BFH development, encompassing finance, commerce, lifestyle, entertainment, the arts and leisure.
Upon its completion, BFH will provide a world-class facility for international institutions to be established in Bahrain.
“The agreement comes as part of implementing Aramex’s major expansion plan in Bahrain and reflects the tremendous growth of the company’s operations in the kingdom,” an Aramex official said.  He noted that his company had registered double-digit growth in its express, cargo and domestic business in Bahrain and had also announced enhanced operational facilities in the archipelago. The expansion strategy includes four new branches to be located in strategic locations across the kingdom in addition to upgrading its office in the Diplomatic Area.
Elaborating on the expansion plans, Samer Marei, Aramex’s Bahrain country manager, said: “We are pleased to announce our new office in the Bahrain Financial Harbour. The harbour is set to become the centre of financial excellence in the Middle East once it becomes operational by the end of next year and we look forward to be working within this financial nerve centre.”
In addition to opening new outlets in the kingdom, Aramex is acquiring land within Bahrain Airport’s bonded facility by the first quarter of 2006. The additional space will handle new logistic and freight operations and enable the company to expand transit operations to Saudi Arabia, said Marei.
Concurrently, Aramex is also in the process of opening a warehouse in Al Hid Industrial Area.
DHL announced it signed an agreement with Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding Company BSC (c) making it an “exclusive logistics provider” to the company.
Phil Couchman, DHL Middle East regional director commented: “Through DHL’s worldwide network of offices, we will be able to serve Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding Company’s needs on a global scale, but with the personal touch of a local office.”
Remarked Nour Suliman, DHL country manager: “This new alliance will prove to be extremely beneficial to both parties involved. As Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding company’s exclusive logistics provider, we will also be recommending their facilities to our partners worldwide, while they in turn will recommend us to theirs.”
Abdul Rahman M. Al Jasmi, managing director, Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding Company, commented on the agreement with DHL: “The partnership between the two brings to BFH a two-fold benefit—the first being the active participation of the logistics provider as a tenant of the financial city. The other advantage is the benefit of special competitive rates accruing to Bahrain Financial Holding Company and its partners.”