Zambian traders get unique Dubai shopping experience

Zambian traders and importers who
travel to Dubai to shop are being
offered a one-stop service, which
includes the booking of their visa,
flights and accommodation, as well as
being given a helping hand in Dubai.
“We organise Dubai visas as well
for importers who use our services
to fly their products into Zambia
with us,” says Sudhir Balsure of
Barloworld Logistics.
The traders are even met at the
Dubai airport by a sales team of
Zambian nationality, and directed to
hotels which cater for them where
Zambian food, for example, is
available. A sales team is on hand to
take them to relevant markets where
they can buy goods that they want.
Usually these are wholesale markets.
“It gives traders a sense of comfort
being met at the airport by people
who speak their own language,” he
says.
The goods are then packed and
carried to Zambia by sea or air
depending on the type of cargo.
“We have over 100 airlines calling
Dubai airport. Kenya Airways,
Ethiopian Airlines, SAA and British
Airways have regular services to
Zambia and other African countries,”
says Balsure.
The service is so popular that
Barloworld has staff working three
shifts to meet the traders at the
airport, he says. In 2008, Swift
Freight was taken over by Barloworld
Logistics to form Barloworld
Logistics Middle East Asia.