• DHL partners Iskandar Innovations Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Iskandar Investment Berhad, to launch the Center in Medini, Iskandar Malaysia
• Global Center of Excellence will offer cross-industry logistics training, market intelligence and support services for fast-growing enterprises

JOHOR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach^[1] - 7 March 2018 -DHL has announced the set-up of a Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) in Iskandar Malaysia -- its first in the country. The Center will provide supply chain consultancy services, and support businesses to design logistics solutions specific to some of Iskandar's key industries including Automotive, Energy, Engineering & Manufacturing, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Technology. DHL is establishing the GCOE in conjunction with Iskandar Innovations Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Iskandar Investment Berhad.

(Left to right)Mr Alfred Goh, President, Global Fast Growing Enterprise and Regional Head, CSI Asia Pacific, DHLYBhg Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President/CEO of Iskandar Investment BerhadYBhg Tuan Haji Adib Azhari bin Daud, Mayor of Iskandar PuteriMr Philip Chu, Managing Director, GCOE Iskandar MalaysiaMr. Akmal Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer, Iskandar Investment Berhad

The GCOE Iskandar Malaysia is a collaboration between DHL and Iskandar Innovations Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Iskandar Investment Berhad.

The GCOE will serve to connect companies with key stakeholders within Iskandar Malaysia and supports their vision to be the hub for Asia and global markets, and enhance its value proposition of connecting the region to the world's major economies. The Center will also power the region's logistics ambitions with networking sessions and workshops where companies and industry experts come together to share best practices, to brainstorm innovative ideas that will form the future of Iskandar Malaysia.

"We want to create an ecosystem within Iskandar Malaysia and to establish a single network that is conducive to all companies to explore and set up business in the region as their gateway to markets around the world," said Mr. Philip Chu, Managing Director, Global Center of Excellence Iskandar Malaysia. "Coupled with DHL's sector-specific experience, it will underpin the bespoke logistics solutions that the GCOE will offer to the local industry."

"A strong base of logistics solutions and talent will not only allow the Iskandar region to achieve its ambitions of becoming an ASEAN supply chain hub, but also provide vital trade connectivity between its core industries and overseas markets where opportunities are aplenty," said Datuk Ir. Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President and CEO, Iskandar Investment Berhad. "As Iskandar's population and foreign investment levels continue to rise steadily,[1] the GCOE will play a strategic role in creating the job opportunities and export growth that underpin the region's economic plans for the future."

"The establishment of the GCOE will bring Iskandar's supply chain capabilities up to speed with those of other logistics hubs in the region, including nearby Singapore where DHL has already run a Supply Chain Center of Excellence for the last ten years," said Mr. Alfred Goh, President, Global Fast Growing Enterprise and Regional Head, Customer Solutions and Innovation Asia Pacific, DHL. "As Malaysia's broader economy grows in domestic demand and overseas exports alike,[2] Iskandar's manufacturing and production industries will need increasingly efficient, flexible and scalable supply chains to power future economic development."

"By complementing pure logistics skills and solutions with broader business development, market insights, and networking with key decision-makers around the world, we believe the GCOE will help Iskandar align its logistics investments with global demand and market forces more closely than ever before."

In 2007, DHL established a similar Supply Chain Center of Excellence in neighboring Singapore that delivered multi-million-dollar returns within its first 36 months of operation.[3] The Iskandar GCOE will be operational in Q2 2018.

DHL -- The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 350,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 57 billion euros in 2016.

References

1. ^{^} Media OutReach (www.media-outreach.com)