DHL Express has entered into a strategic partnership with Octopios to transform international trade access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This collaboration integrates DHL’s extensive global logistics network directly into Octopios’ B2B e-commerce platform, streamlining cross-border shipping processes for MENA-based SMEs. By managing shipping, customs, and delivery through a single, unified interface, the partnership aims to simplify logistics, reduce transaction complexities, and accelerate the operational agility of SMEs expanding beyond their local markets.
Octopios’ platform, now enhanced with DHL’s delivery infrastructure, offers a scalable solution that reduces traditional export barriers such as cumbersome paperwork and limited shipment visibility. This synergy is designed to enable SMEs to confidently launch their products on the global stage, tapping into DHL’s presence spanning over 220 countries and territories. According to Mahmoud Hajj Hussein, Country Manager of DHL Express UAE, the partnership underscores a vision of making international trade efficient and sustainable, helping SMEs overcome conventional growth challenges.
Adding an environmental dimension to the partnership, Octopios has joined DHL’s GoGreen Plus program. This initiative facilitates carbon-reduced international shipments powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), reflecting both companies’ commitment to greener logistics practices. This move aligns closely with the UAE’s broader strategic ambitions for digital trade and sustainable economic development, which increasingly emphasize low-carbon technologies and innovation-led growth.
Hassan Emam, Co-Founder and CEO of Octopios, describes the collaboration not merely as a platform upgrade but as building “infrastructure for the future of trade.” With the integration of DHL’s network, Octopios users now benefit from faster, more reliable, and environmentally conscious logistics solutions that support their internationalisation strategies.
This partnership is part of a broader regional trend where logistics and trade facilitation firms actively support SME growth. For example, other strategic agreements, such as those between DHL Express and entities like the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (SHERAA), reinforce tailored logistics and financing solutions designed to boost SMEs’ operational capacity across the UAE. These collaborations often include incentives, dedicated support teams, and educational programmes that help businesses better navigate global supply chains.
The significance of supporting SMEs in global trade is also reflected in wider DHL Group initiatives, which include a substantial investment of over EUR 500 million planned for the Middle East through 2030. These investments aim to upgrade logistics infrastructure in key Gulf markets, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, thereby strengthening the region’s role as a pivotal trade link connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Moreover, DHL’s partnership with academic institutions, like the University of Maastricht, has produced resources such as a comprehensive whitepaper providing practical guidance for SMEs seeking international expansion. The report emphasises critical success factors such as understanding international regulations, enhancing supply chain efficiencies, leveraging technology, and accessing finance, all crucial for helping SMEs capitalise on global opportunities while mitigating risks.
Ultimately, the integration of DHL’s global logistics capabilities into Octopios’ e-commerce platform represents a significant step toward deepening SME participation in the fast-evolving global digital economy. By providing seamless, scalable, and sustainable logistics solutions, this partnership not only supports SMEs’ growth ambitions but also contributes to positioning the MENA region as a competitive hub for international trade and digital commerce.
Source: Noah Wire Services
