The partnership agreement between DHL Cold Chain and Express Trailers will provide existing and potential pharmaceutical investors with the needed infrastucture to achieve success in the global markets according to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

He was speaking at the recent signing ceremony of an agreement of partnership between the two companies. The agreement will enable the pharmaceutical industry to benefit from an international network and the high standards that DHL offers.

Mr Fenech said this was a vote of confidence in Malta's industrial policy, in particular in the pharmaceutical industry.

"Today, we have more than 1,000 employees working in this industry and we need to ensure that this will continue to flourish. This agreement is a sign that our vision is shared and is a key component to achieve and translate this vision."

Jonathan Vella, commercial relationship director of Express Trailers, said this was a significant event. In line with the Vella Brothers' vision to be customer centred, the company had teamed up with a major international player to be of service to the pharmaceutical industry. Mr Vella went on to say that to be able to service the industry, Express Trailers had to invest to increase the fleet's sophistication.

"We have therefore invested €250,000 in reefer trailers and a sound IT infrastructure to assure the high standards required for such a service. Transporting medicine and pharmaceutical products require accuracy, diligence and reliability. We are glad to provide these attributes with the help of DHL"

DHL Freight senior vice-president Stefan Paul and head of sales Roman Bisig talked about the increasing importance of the Maltese market in the pharmaceutical industry, both at production and cross docking levels.

"We believe this agreement came at an important time - for us as a company, for the industry and the country."

David Fleri Soler, sales and business development manager of Express Trailers, said, the continued partnership with DHL Cold Chain has brought about a new product that will give local pharmaceutical companies the chance to have a service that fully complies with EU directives on wholesale distribution of medicinal products for human consumption.