DHL celebrates groundbreaking of a new gateway at King Fahd International airport in Dammam

The opening of a new gateway is expected to add approximately 100 new jobs at the DHL gateway the next 12 months. This groundbreaking ceremony comes on the back of the company's recent announcement of a planned investment of over $20m into the opening of two new gateways at Dammam and Riyadh airports.

KFIA GD Eng Khalid Almzel, joined DHL Express CEO Ken Allen, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa (MENA) CEO Nour Suliman, DHL Express Saudi Country Manger Geoff Walsh .and regional managers, employees and members of the KFIA Board today to mark the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony at the KFIA.

Since 1976, DHL has blazed the trail for express delivery in Saudi Arabia, and this investment is further proof that we have no intention of slowing down," said Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express.

"The Saudi market offers vast opportunities for DHL's global customer base, and the multi-million dollar gateway we are opening today underscores the unwavering commitment of DHL and our longstanding partners at SNAS to driving further trade between businesses in the Kingdom and their partners around the world."

"The groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction of a 10,000 square meter facility. The new facility is expected to be operational by December, while other improvements be completed by 2014," said Nour Suliman, CEO of DHL Express MENA.

"The new gateways will be linked to all major DHL Express distribution hubs around the world including the regional hub in Bahrain, as well as the new DHL Express North Asia Hub in Shanghai, China., which was launched in mid-July 2012, marks the largest hub in Asia with investment over $175m and further demonstrates DHL's commitment to providing fast, reliable and cost efficient logistics solutions," added Suliman.

DHL Express' investment in the two international airports underscores the importance of logistics operations in Saudi Arabia to the wider Middle East and reaffirms DHL's long-term commitment to providing international transport solutions to customers in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region the projects demonstrate DHL's recognition of the safe and stable environment in Saudi Arabia, which favors long-term investment

The King Fahd international airport in Dammam will double freight capacities inbound and outbound from Saudi Arabia, which will open up opportunity for increased commercial trade through the Eastern gate of the Kingdom with both land-trucking and air cargo clearances in the developing KFIA Cargo Village.

Commenting on the new investment, Geoff Walsh, DHL Express Country Manager Saudi Arabia, said: "the new gateway allow DHL Express Saudi to increase its operational capacities in the region and double our logistics offerings to our customers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and across the GCC region. The new investment marks another significant milestone for us as we continue to focus on serving growing markets and offering world-class levels of services."

The new investment has been set in place to meet the increasing demands on DHL's services in Saudi Arabia, a key market in the wider GCC region. The terminals will support the expansion of trade by increasing connections between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Asia and the United States. With this current investment, DHL will have invested $20m in its Saudi Arabia gateways.