LONDON: DHL Express, the world’s leading express logistics provider, has signed a strategic partnership with Egyptian football superstar Mohamed Salah to become brand ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the next two years.
The new collaboration will see the parties working together on a series of marketing activities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that reinforce the synergies between the core values of DHL Express as a business and Mohamed Salah as a sportsman and youth-inspirer.
The announcement made late on Wednesday in northern England comes just weeks ahead of Salah’s campaign to lead the Egyptian national team at the World Cup in Russia.
DHL’s CEO in the Middle East and North Africa, Nour Suliman, told Arab News that he was very proud of collaborating with Salah.
“Our partnership with Mo Salah is unique as it is the first contract with an individual player, but also it is a testament to the synergy of core values DHL Express and Mo Salah share — leadership, commitment, teamwork, precision, agility, determination,” he said.
When asked by Arab News about the meaning of this partnership, Salah said: “I am very proud to be the first player to partner with DHL, and I am happy to collaborate with an international brand.”
DHL did not disclose the funds earmarked for its CSR initiatives to be spent in the MENA region, and its region’s CEO said the initialtives to be developed are still a work in progress.
However, DHL said it has already significantly contributed to the development of the countries they operate in within the MENA region.
The company’s work includes supporting charities, working to help orphans, youth development, care and education among other causes.
Mo-Salah to raise DHL flag in the MENA region for developmental and charitable causes
Mo-Salah to raise DHL flag in the MENA region for developmental and charitable causes
Free trade negotiations between GCC, India mark a new phase of partnership, says secretary-general
RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general affirmed that the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the GCC and India, and the signing of the joint statement, represents a new phase of strategic partnership.
Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi said that this contributes to enhancing close cooperation and strengthening economic and trade ties, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
This came during the signing ceremony of the joint statement on launching the free trade agreement negotiations between the Al-Budaiwi and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, which took place in New Delhi, on Tuesday.
During the signing ceremony, Al-Budaiwi said that the Terms of Reference, signed on Feb. 5, provide a comprehensive and clear framework for these negotiations. The two nations agreed to discuss enhancing cooperation in vital strategic areas, including trade in goods, customs procedures, and services.
Additionally, the framework covers Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, intellectual property rights, cooperation on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, along with other topics of mutual interest. This reflects the comprehensive nature of the agreement and its ability to keep pace with the future economy.
Al-Budaiwi expressed hope that these negotiations would lead to a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement that works to remove customs and non-customs barriers, enhance the flow of quality investments in both directions, and achieve further liberalization in trade and investment cooperation between the GCC and India for mutual benefit.
This would provide a stimulating economic environment and an investment climate that opens broad horizons for the business sector, supports supply chains, and accelerates the pace of economic growth in line with the ambitious developmental visions of the GCC states.
The top official affirmed the full readiness of the General Secretariat to host the first round of negotiations at its headquarters in Riyadh during the second half of this year.
The two sides held a meeting during which they reviewed the existing cooperation relations between the GCC and India and discussed ways to develop and elevate them to broader horizons, serving mutual interests and enhancing opportunities for strategic partnership between the two sides, particularly in the economic, investment, and trade fields.
They praised the role undertaken by the negotiating teams from both sides, appreciating the efforts contributing to reaching a comprehensive agreement that enhances economic integration and supports the smooth flow of trade between the two nations.
