DP DHL Group-owned DHL Express, which has seen the Goods and Services Tax regime introduced in different countries at different points of time, said the common thing is there is always a “learning curve period”.
That said, the Indian experience is a bit tricky as in most countries GST has a single rate, Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific and Member of the firm’s Global Management Board, told Business Line . He noted that for most countries, the initial period is one of change, which is a bit more challenging, making people tread a bit “more carefully”.
The DHL honcho said his company was not new to such reforms. DHL Express will ensure full compliance and make sure the services to customers are not affected, said Lee, who oversees the company’s business and overall operations in Asia Pacific, excluding China.
Meanwhile, R S Subramanian, Senior Vice-President and Country Manager, DHL Express India, noted GST implementation is also moving the firm into digital mode, adding, India would “leapfrog” with the ease of compliance, as promised, and possibly “we should re-look at the end of two years.”
Alert on IT security On the issue of the ransomware attack on IT systems, Lee said: “This should not happen to anybody”. Subramanian noted that two such attacks in past two months have made them up their “antennas”.
“We are looking into all our network capabilities to ensure they are secure and controls are in good shape. Possibly, this is one area where we will continue to invest in future,” Subramanian said.
DHL Express, which focusses largely on time-definite international movement of cargo, said the opportunities in each country are different.
Deutsche Post DHL Group, which has earmarked €250 million towards future investments in India by 2020, on Thursday inaugurated an expanded gateway enabling DHL Express to create separate facilities for imports and exports.
(Pavitra K is interning with BusinessLine)