DHL has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Under this agreement, all four DHL divisions operating in Malaysia—DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL eCommerce—will work closely with MIDA to strengthen the logistics and supply chain ecosystem, supporting Malaysia’s position as a leading hub for foreign investment (FI).
The announcement builds on a successful collaboration since 2023, where joint efforts with MIDA’s global and local offices have yielded significant investment outcomes. These encompassed key priority sectors including electrical and electronics, pharmaceutical, digital economy, aerospace, and chemicals—diversified across eight states: Kedah, Penang, Perak, Johor, Melaka, Sabah, Sarawak, and Selangor.
Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, remarked, “Malaysia’s logistics sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a powerhouse of innovation and technological advancement. We’re witnessing developments in digital technology and smart automation, from AI-powered route optimisation and real-time tracking to advanced warehouse robotics and autonomous delivery systems. Through MIDA’s proactive assistance and facilitation, we’ve created an ecosystem that nurtures these technological advancements and our renewed partnership with DHL represents a strategic alliance that will accelerate Malaysia’s journey towards becoming the region’s premier smart logistics hub.”
“As multi-shoring and multi-sourcing increase in strategic prevalence, Malaysia is well-positioned to capitalise on this momentum due to its regional connectivity and conducive business ecosystem,” said Julian Neo, Managing Director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei. “With our extensive network and experience in facilitating cross-border trade, DHL Express is proud to assist MIDA in appealing to global investors by enabling seamless market entry and providing end-to-end logistics solutions. Together we can make effective progress in our shared mission to bolster the country’s competitive and innovative potential.”
“The expanded partnership between DHL and MIDA also reaffirms our commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s position as a leading regional logistics hub. Our investments in expanding our warehouse footprint and capabilities, including our new warehouse in Southern Malaysia and the opening of Penang Logistics Hub 5, align perfectly with the goals of this MOU. This enables us to continue attracting and supporting global investors in Malaysia. By combining our logistics expertise with MIDA’s vision, we are not only enhancing supply chain resilience for multinational corporations but actively contributing to the nation’s broader economic ambitions,” added Mario Lorenz, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain Malaysia.
“For multinational corporations eyeing Southeast Asia for expansion, Malaysia emerges as a prime destination, combining strategic geographic advantages with robust infrastructure and business-friendly policies. While technology and manufacturing remain its cornerstone sectors, the country also offers compelling opportunities in high-growth sectors such as life sciences and healthcare, as well as perishables. At DHL Global Forwarding Malaysia, we partner with international businesses to capitalize on these opportunities through our end-to-end logistics solutions that optimize supply chains and accelerate market penetration. Our enhanced partnership with MIDA underscores Malaysia’s readiness to welcome global investors, multiplying their confidence to scale seamlessly while contributing to the nation’s economic ambitions,” said Christopher Lim, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
“As global e-commerce continues its strong momentum with a projected CAGR of 7% annually until 2030, Malaysia stands out as a strategic gateway for international brands seeking regional growth. DHL eCommerce plays a pivotal role in seamlessly connecting international supply chains to local markets by supporting with our fulfillment and last-mile delivery services. We ensure that goods move swiftly and securely from homes and businesses nationwide, enabling true end-to-end delivery within Malaysia. Our partnership with MIDA strengthens this mission, helping global businesses reach local consumers faster, more reliably and efficiently. By bridging global supply chains with Malaysia’s dynamic consumer base, we are not only enhancing delivery reliability and customer experience but also reinforcing the nation’s position as an attractive, investor-ready logistics market,” said Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director of DHL eCommerce Malaysia.
DHL is committed to raising Malaysia’s profile among MNCs looking to diversify their manufacturing and sourcing operations. With DHL’s strong footprint in Malaysia and end-to-end logistics and supply chain capabilities, DHL can support foreign businesses to strengthen their supply chain resilience by leveraging Malaysia’s strategic location. Additionally, DHL is well positioned to support the country’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 in achieving its sustainable development targets.
Malaysia’s robust appeal is further underscored by the DHL Global Connectedness Index, which ranks the nation third in Asia Pacific and 26th globally in 2024, showing significant improvements since 2001. Complementing this, the Institute for Management Development (IWD) in Switzerland highlights Malaysia’s significant progress, propelling it 11 spots forward to 23rd among 69 economies in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025, a notable rise from 34th last year. This global confidence translated into RM89.8 billion in approved investments in Q1 2025, with foreign investments accounting for a dominant RM60.4 billion (or 67%), despite global economic challenges.
All four of DHL Group’s globally operating divisions are present in Malaysia, comprising DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL eCommerce. Together, they offer an unparalleled portfolio of services encompassing international express; supply chain management; road, air, and sea freight; and domestic delivery.
