The fastest growing destination for a Basildon delivery company's packages is Afghanistan.
DHL in Basildon has seen deliveries to the once remote and little-known land multiply 19-fold in the course of 2003 alone.
Post jackpot - David Pasley-Smith of DHL Picture: ROB WELHAM
Afghanistan has undergone a massive process of reconstruction since the 2002 war that drove the Taliban from power. This has been reflected in fast-rising exports from Basildon, which handles consignments from Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
David Pasley-Smith, DHL's Basildon sales manager, said: "DHL has always operated very effectively in sensitive areas. As soon as Afghanistan was reasonably safe for our sales staff, they got in there ready to build up business.
"We now have some very good guys in place over there, who ensure a smooth operation in getting packages from Basildon to Afghanistan."
The most popular items exported by DHL Basildon at present are pharmaceuticals, school text books, and items related to the security operation.
Published Thursday January 8, 2004
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