U.S. Department of Commerce and DHL Express Join Forces to Increase U.S. Exports

NEW YORK and PLANTATION, Fla., May 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DHL Express, the world's leading international express services provider, announced today it has partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) to help small and mid-size businesses harness new international sales opportunities in the global marketplace. The partnership combines the Department of Commerce's global reach and staff's extensive knowledge of foreign trade with DHL's proven international expertise and expansive U.S. customer base.

This joint effort will provide more comprehensive export assistance and stimulate job growth in the small and mid-size business sector.

The partnership is a key component of the ITA's leadership in implementing President Obama's National Export Initiative (NEI), which aims to double U.S. exports in order to support U.S. jobs. Our partnership with DHL showcases the company's commitment to provide the best international expertise and resources to its customers while also supporting the U.S. economy and American jobs, said Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez. This partnership will open new doors for DHL's current and potential customers while increasing economic opportunities on a local level. We are excited to team up with DHL to expand America's export potential, create jobs, and help DHL shipping customers grow their bottom line.

Through the new partnership, ITA will provide a wide range of business resources to DHL's U.S. exporting customers -- including industry-specific consulting, marketing research available only to ITA registrants, lead generation of overseas contacts, and information on industry trade shows targeting potential buyers and distributors. ITA's global network of trade professionals, located in more than 70 countries and 100 cities across the United States, will also help to connect these companies with international buyers.

As the specialists in international, we are focused entirely on supporting our customers' international growth and helping them thrive in the global marketplace, said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S.

Through this new partnership we'll bring even more resources to bear for our customers beyond our unmatched knowledge of international shipping and industry leading global network. By introducing them to new international resources and providing valuable customized consulting services we will help them grow even more effectively on an international scale.

Only a small percentage of U.S. companies export, and of those that do, 58 percent sell to only one international market. Through the NEI and partnerships like these, ITA is committed to educating U.S. exporters, particularly small and mid-sized companies, about the benefits of expanding their exports to additional markets, and providing the public and private sector resources to assist them.

The partnership was formally announced today at a launch event that took place at a DHL operations facility in Manhattan. The event included a guided tour of the facility as well as the official signing of the partnership agreements by Sánchez and Clough.