Amid growing logistics and supply-chain business, global logistic giant Kintetsu World Express Inc (KWE) has formally started its operations in Bangladesh.

A function marking the KWE's direct operations in Bangladesh was held at a hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, KWE Regional Managing Director (South-East Asia and Oceania Region) Yasuyuki Tani and KWE Managing Director (Bangladesh operations) Vibhu Prakash, among others, joined the function as the chief guest.

In April 2010, KWE opened a representative office in Dhaka to continue their activities in South Asia.

Transportation demand in the region is growing remarkably and KWE has been providing international transportation services through partner agents, mainly for its Japanese customers.

A number of Western and Japanese apparel manufacturers have already established operations in the country, and further growth in transport demand is expected in the future due to the growth of consumer markets, changes in supply chains and diversification of industrial structures within Asia, KWE said.

With the establishment of this new subsidiary, KWE will intensify its sales and marketing activities and enhance its transport services to meet the business needs of all their customers in the region.

The KWE Group is committed to providing flexible services and expanding its network throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, to meet the needs of our customers.

KWE Regional Managing Director Yasuyuki Tani told the media that they understand Bangladesh is becoming one of the top emerging markets and as an important player in the global freight forwarding and supply chain business.

“We think that we have to include this country in our business network,” he said.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, the KWE has presence in more than 45 countries, 304 cities and 685 locations worldwide with approximately 18,000-plus employees.