DHL, the global logistics leader, has reaffirmed its strong commitment to Malaysia’s economic growth with the rollout of Strategy 2030, a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at driving sustainable development across high-value sectors. Having operated in Malaysia since 1968, DHL today employs over 4,500 people across four key divisions, underpinning the nation’s role as a critical hub in its vast international logistics network.
Malaysia’s strategic geographic location and robust investment climate have made it one of DHL’s top 20 high-growth markets. In 2024, the country recorded a historic high of RM378.5 billion in approved investments, with foreign direct investment (FDI) making up 45%, led by major economies including the United States, Germany, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. DHL’s ongoing collaboration with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), renewed in 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding, continues to accelerate these investments across eight Malaysian states, encompassing sectors such as electrical and electronics, pharmaceuticals, digital economy, aerospace, and chemicals.
The company’s investments reflect confidence in the local market, with major recent infrastructure developments including the 2024 opening of the Kuala Lumpur Gateway — DHL Express’s largest local investment to date at EUR 60 million (MYR 300 million). DHL Supply Chain is also investing EUR 131 million (MYR 655 million) through 2028 to enhance warehousing capacity and sustainability, exemplified by new logistics hubs in Penang and the South Region, with more planned for Penang and the Central region.
DHL’s focus is not limited to traditional sectors like automotive, technology, and e-commerce, which continue to show robust growth. The company is also capitalising on emerging opportunities in Malaysia’s burgeoning life sciences and healthcare industries (LSHC) and the new energy sector. The life sciences segment, buoyed by the nation’s rise as a global medical device hub featuring ten top medical device companies, is expected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 10% until 2030. DHL is leveraging over 30 years of experience in specialised pharma logistics, bolstered by its 2025 acquisition of specialty courier CRYOPDP and a EUR 500 million (MYR 2.4 billion) investment in Asia Pacific’s LSH capacity. The firm offers comprehensive cold chain management and compliance services aligned with global good distribution practices and WHO standards, making it well-positioned to support Malaysia’s ambitions in this high-growth area.
In the new energy and automotive mobility sectors, DHL is similarly advancing its capabilities. Malaysia’s vehicle market hit a record high of over 800,000 units sold in 2024, and government initiatives like the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021-2030 and the National Automotive Policy are propelling growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy logistics. DHL plans to further develop its third-party logistics (3PL) expertise in managing spare parts, service logistics, regional distribution, and EV-specific supply chains. The establishment of an EV Centre of Excellence in Malaysia will join a network of similar centres across Asia Pacific, supporting the full spectrum of EV supply chain needs—from capital equipment and battery materials to finished vehicles and aftermarket logistics.
E-commerce remains a vital sector for DHL, with Malaysia’s market projected to grow at an annual rate of 11.25% until 2029. DHL supports local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing global markets through initiatives like the GoTrade program, which has trained over 2,000 Malaysian SMEs since 2023. This commitment helps local businesses expand digitally, backed by DHL’s strong delivery network and innovation in parcel handling and returns.
Sustainability is integral to DHL’s future strategy. The logistics sector contributes roughly 3.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, and DHL accounts for about one percent of this total. The company has pledged net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with interim decarbonisation targets aimed for 2030. In Malaysia, DHL Express pioneered the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) for logistics back in 2022, and has since expanded its electric fleet to 74 vans and nine scooters, aligning with the group-wide goal of electrifying two-thirds of its fleet by 2030. Moreover, DHL supports customers in mitigating their supply chain emissions through services utilizing sustainable aviation and marine fuels, serving over 90,000 customers in Asia Pacific.
DHL’s Strategy 2030 redoubles its commitment to Malaysia as a cornerstone of global trade and supply chain innovation, underpinning the nation’s ambitions to grow high-value, sustainable industries. This strategic focus positions DHL not only as a logistics provider but also as a key enabler of Malaysia’s economic diversification and environmental goals over the coming decade.
Source: Noah Wire Services
