The express sector in India has a bright outlook according to Rajesh Subramaniam, senior VP, International Marketing, FedEx Services. “As a fastgrowing, market-driven economy, we believe India is poised to take a leadingrole on the world’s stage,” he said in an interview with India’s Business Line.

India’s logistics industry is set to see tremendous growth with estimates forecasting the logistic business is expected to reach a market size of over US$125 billion by 2010. “We are bullish about India and will continue to maintain our position through the introduction of innovative products and services in the region,” he added.

The estimated size of the Indian express industry is currently around US$1.6 billion, according to Subramaniam. “We saw the potential of India as an economic superpower early on and have invested accordingly, particularly in the intra- Indian market. By acquiring PAFEX, we have created additional value to our international service with improved access and connectivity through greater control of our pick-ups and deliveries.”

FedEx has 16 flights into and out of India – more than any other express company, he said. In 2007, FedEx acquired its local GSP, Prakash Air Freight Pvt. Ltd. (PAFEX), one of the largest domestic express companies operating in India. This enabled it to connect nearly 4,400 cities and towns across India, and almost 100 per cent of the key import/export market in India.

“We are the only express transportation company to provide two gateways into and out of India, located in Mumbai and Delhi. We recently provided increased connectivity to northern India, through the launch of our new Delhi gateway, whereby customers in the North will enjoy later cut off times, allowing them additional manufacturing / productiontime.”