• Joint seed investment of over USD 2 million from IskandarInvestment Berhad and DHL to improve the logistics ecosystem inIskandar and market it to the world
• GCOE providesindustry-specific logistics solutions to IskandarMalaysia's focal industries including Manufacturing, Technology andLife Sciences
• GCOE fostersongoing logistics innovation, including digital and green logistics, to attracttop talent and boost supply chain efficiency for the region

ISKANDAR PUTERI, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - December 12, 2018 - DHL has officially commenced operationsin its latest Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) in Iskandar Malaysia -- the first such public-private partnership in thecountry. The GCOE consolidates supply chain consultancy services andlogistics design for many of Iskandar Malaysia's focal industries includingAutomotive, Energy, Engineering & Manufacturing, Life Sciences & Healthcare,and Technology.

(Left to right)
YBhg Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President/CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad
YB Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, Chairman of International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee, Johor State
Mr Philip Chu, Managing Director, GCOE Iskandar Malaysia

The GCOE Iskandar Malaysia being officially opened by (left to right) Mr Philip Chu, Managing Director, GCOE Iskandar Malaysia; YB Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, Chairman of International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee, Johor State; YBhg Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President/CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad; and YBhg Dato' Haji Adib Ashari Bin Daud, Mayor of Iskandar Puteri.

The GCOE Iskandar Malaysia is the interchange connecting key stakeholders in the ecosystem to support businesses operating out of the special economic zone. (Left to right) YBhg Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President/CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad; YB Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, Chairman of International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee, Johor State; Mr Philip Chu, Managing Director, GCOE Iskandar Malaysia; and YBhg Dato' Haji Adib Ashari Bin Daud, Mayor of Iskandar Puteri.

The opening of the GCOE  wasofficiated by YB Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, the Johor State EXCO for InternationalTrade, Investment and Utilities. "The GCOE  enhances the logistics ecosystem in IskandarMalaysia where speed, connectivity and logistics solutions are the backbones oftoday's business. The Johor State Government will continue  to support and encourage more public andprivate corporations to amplify this initiative, and make Johor and IskandarMalaysia attractive investment destinations," he said during the launch atMedini, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

With Malaysia's exportsconsistently hitting new highs throughout 2018,[1]the opening of this GCOE comes at a pivotal juncture in the country's economicdevelopment as one of Southeast Asia's industrial powerhouses. The IskandarMalaysia economic zone occupies more than 2,200 sq-km -- more than 10% of theJohor state in which it is located -- with the goal of generating more than RM120 billion (€25.5 billion) in GDP for Malaysia by 2025.[2]

"With rapid growth inflagship sectors like technology and manufacturing, and alongside heightenedinterests from major trading partners like China, Korea and Japan,[3]Iskandar Malaysia must be ready with its own in-house, high-quality logistics servicesthat can connect it to the rest of Asia and ultimately, the world," said DatukIr. Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).

Established by DHL inpartnership with Iskandar Innovations Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IIB,with joint seed investments exceeding USD 2 million, the GCOE is theinterchange connecting key stakeholders in the ecosystem to support businessesoperating out of the special economic zone, particularly those looking toexpand throughout Asia rapidly. As acatalyst in Iskandar Malaysia, IIB is collaborating with DHL -- offering accessto its global network, industry expertise and innovations, and marketingcapabilities -- to put Iskandar Malaysia on the global logistics map.

"We envisage IskandarMalaysia as a gateway between Asia and the rest of the world; one which willrely on resilient and adaptive logistics connectivity to reach its fullpotential," said Mr. Philip Chu, Managing Director, Global Center of ExcellenceIskandar Malaysia. "Its logistics services will be fully integrated with thebroader workings of Iskandar Malaysia to speed up and streamline growth forbusinesses. The GCOE acts as the integrated platform connecting authorities,ecosystem partners and chambers of commerce through a joint value propositionto support potential investors."

"As the Iskandar regionbegins to build a critical mass of investment and industry development,businesses in the area have already begun turning to us for logistics solutionsthat don't just deliver their goods, but scale and evolve to keep up with theirfast-moving strategies and customer demands. Placing the GCOE in IskandarMalaysia's nexus of industry and transport infrastructure will ensure thatthese businesses can access logistics services as innovative as their ownofferings for the years of growth to come," said Mr. Matthias Heutger, SeniorVice President, Head of Innovation & Commercial Development, DHL.

Apart from strengtheningcollaboration between companies and key stakeholders in Iskandar Malaysia, GCOEwill also host networking sessions, workshops, and other forums designed to attracthigh-quality logistics talent to the area. It will place special focus on digitaland green logistics innovation, complementing Iskandar Malaysia's investmentsin Smart City and eco-friendly infrastructure including an IntegratedOperations Center for city-wide sensor and data management, and other initiativesaimed at improving environmental sustainability and carbon emissions across thezone's industries.[4]

DHL -- The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in thelogistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolioof logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery,e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, airand ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 360,000employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connectspeople and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. Withspecialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology,life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a provencommitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developingmarkets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues ofmore than 60 billion euros in 2017.

About Iskandar InvestmentBerhad (IIB)

Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) is a Catalyst of Change and a keyplayer in Iskandar Malaysia's transformation into a regional metropolis ofinternational standing. Incorporated in November 2006, IIB is tasked to ensureIskandar Malaysia continues its successful trajectory into an attractiveinvestment destination and a vibrant liveable region via catalytic and highimpact projects. IIB focuses on the development of Iskandar Puteri in theeducation, creative, tourism and leisure as well as health and wellness sectors.IIB's prominent accomplishments include the successful joint ventures andinvestment partnerships in EduCity, LEGOLAND ® Malaysia Resort, IskandarPuteri, Medini and infrastructure projects under the 9th Malaysia Plan inIskandar Malaysia. IIB is committed to steering economic and environmentallysustainable growth in Iskandar Malaysia and ensuring inclusive growth for localIskandarians through employment and income opportunities.

For more information on IIB, please visit www.iskandarinvestment.com