FISCAL 2002: REVENUES INCREASE, EARNINGS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

8.1 percent higher dividend for shareholders
STAR value creation program shows first successes
Encouraging earnings increase in the first two months of 2003

Bonn, 28 March 2003. Against the setting of a difficult year from the international business and economic standpoint, in 2002 Deutsche Post World Net succeeded in achieving the second best results in its corporate history. Revenues rose by 17.6 percent to EUR 39.3 billion, profit from operating activities (EBITA) was at EUR 2.42 billion. Although 4.9 percent lower than in the previous year, nonetheless the earnings forecast for 2002 of around EUR 2.2 billion was clearly exceeded. Lending a significant contribution were the first successes of the STAR value creation program.

Today at the financials press conference in Bonn, the Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel, held out the prospect of a higher dividend, in the face of the Group’s solid strength, and earnings in excess of expectation: “At the annual general meeting, we will propose a dividend distribution of 40 cents per share, representing an increase of 8.1 percent. In so doing, we want to give our shareholders their portion of the positive development”.

Deutsche Post World Net was able to increase net profit before minority interest and extraordinary expense by 0.2 percent to around EUR 1.6 billion. Due to the EU state aid ruling in the amount of EUR 907 million, the consolidated net profit dropped by 58 percent to EUR 659 million. Earnings per share accordingly dropped to EUR 0.59, adjusted for the extraordinary expense from the state aid ruling, it is at EUR 1.41.

Finance Board Member Dr. Edgar Ernst underscored that all corporate divisions had exceeded their targets for returns for fiscal 2002.

Positive outlook

Chairman of the Board of Management Zumwinkel saw the past fiscal year in a positive light, and displayed confidence for the current year: “Deutsche Post World Net experienced many challenges in fiscal 2002. Despite the difficult world political and economic situation, we achieved good revenues and earnings. We have got a good start on fiscal 2003, in the first two months achieving a respectable lead in earnings over the prior-year period. We are continuing along the announced road with our Group-wide STAR program. We believe even more fervently than before that we will achieve the targets we have set out for ourselves.”

After a successful turnaround and internationalization of the Group, Zumwinkel stressed the goal of being No. 1 in logistics: “The STAR value creation program is the launching pad for our goal of becoming No. 1. STAR is a packet of measures backed up with hard facts and actions, and the clear marching order: EUR 1.4 billion increase in earnings, and EBITA of EUR 3.1 billion, deriving from factors which may be influenced and mastered by management. The first successes of the STAR program have already had a positive influence on EBITA for fiscal 2002.“

At the focal point of fiscal 2003 are the integration and pooling of all DHL, Express, and Logistics activities under the DHL brand umbrella. DHL’s relaunch will begin on 01 April 2003 and be accompanied by a global communications offensive.

The goal is to establish the “new” DHL with the Group’s customers in Germany, Europe and the world as the internationally leading brand for express and logistics.

Significant earnings improvement in Express, Logistics and Financial Services, increased international revenues

The Mail Corporate Division contributed around EUR 11.7 billion to the corporate divisions’ total revenues in 2002 of EUR 39.3 billion – in an overall difficult economic environment, only minimally smaller than in the previous year. In the Express Division, revenue was increased by 94.5 percent to around EUR 12.5 billion. This increase is primarily attributable to the first-time consolidation of DHL. In Logistics (EUR 9.2 billion) and Financial Services (EUR 8.9 billion), it was possible to maintain the prior year’s revenue level.

DHL 

DHL is the world's leading express and logistics company offering customers innovative and customised solutions from a single source. With global expertise in solutions, express, air and ocean freight and overland transport DHL combines worldwide coverage with an in depth understanding of local markets. DHL's harmonised international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

DHL continues to be at the forefront of technology and, with more than 150,000 dedicated employees, guarantees fast and reliable services aimed at exceeding customers' expectations.

Based in Brussels, Belgium, DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net.

For more information please contact:

Evgeny Doga, DHL Moldova, tel.+3732 228002, e-mail

THE DHL SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES - TOGETHER WITH LUFTHANSA SYSTEMS.

February 25, 2003. At the start of the new year, DHL Aviation, part of DHL Worldwide Express, and Lufthansa Systems launched their cooperation in a comprehensive IT project targeted to optimize DHL’s network in terms of air and road planning as well as operations control. The contract signed on December 18, 2002 sealed the introduction of several Lufthansa Systems NetLine products at DHL, as part of a larger, fully integrated IT program involving Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and B. Rekencentra NV, a Belgium based software company. The contract includes the integration of the proven NetLine products in the DHL environment as well as maintenance and support of the systems to be implemented at DHL in Brussels.

Rapid globalisation, deregulation and the market entry of new players has increased competition and forced integrators and logistic companies to re-engineer their current business processes. The merger of DHL Worldwide Express with Deutsche Post Euro Express and Danzas on January 1st of this year makes DHL one of the world’s biggest delivery service providers. This integration requires additional efforts in order to keep the air and road network’s mission critical IT systems state-of-the-art. The integrator industry and the information technology sector represent two of today’s most dynamic fields of business. The NetLine product line from Lufthansa Systems is one of the leading software solutions for the worldwide airline market which supports the entire process from planning to managing an airline’s resources. NetLine/Sched, for example, one component of the NetLine product suite that will be used by DHL, enables schedulers to plan alternative scenarios, check the capacity of the network, and measure the profitability of a schedule.

From a preliminary scoping study, DHL Aviation gained a very positive impression of Lufthansa Systems’ consulting competence and the quality of its products. The NetLine product suite benefits from this strong foundation. “Lufthansa Systems, in our opinion, has done a great job with this product line in combining their extensive process know-how with powerful state-of-the-art technology in a very user-friendly form. We are convinced that this solution will support us in our leading position in our business area.” explains Jacek Romanowski, Global Airline Director at DHL Aviation.

Note to the Editor:
Lufthansa Systems is one of the world’s leading IT service providers for the airline and aviation industry. As a system integrator, the 100% subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group covers the entire spectrum of IT services – from consulting to development, from implementation to operation. In the area of IT infrastructure and IT operation, Lufthansa Systems offers its services across many industries. The global company headquartered in Kelsterbach, Germany, close to Frankfurt/Main, has several locations in Germany and branch locations in 12 countries. It employs around 4,200 people worldwide. In business year 2001, Lufthansa Systems reached sales of Euro 748 million. To find out more, visit their web site at www.LHsystems.com.

DHL 

DHL is the world's leading express and logistics company offering customers innovative and customised solutions from a single source. With global expertise in solutions, express, air and ocean freight and overland transport DHL combines worldwide coverage with an in depth understanding of local markets. DHL's harmonised international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

DHL continues to be at the forefront of technology and, with more than 150,000 dedicated employees, guarantees fast and reliable services aimed at exceeding customers' expectations.

Based in Brussels, Belgium, DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net.

For more information please contact:

DHL BACKS AIR HONG KONG EXPANSION

Six New Airbus Freighters for Cargo Airline 

Brussels, 13th January 2003. DHL Worldwide gave its backing today to Air Hong Kong’s (AHK) intention to acquire six new Airbus A300-600F General Freighters. 

In October 2002, DHL announced its joint venture with Cathay Pacific under which DHL acquired a 30% stake in Air Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific owning the remaining 70%.

The use of the new aircraft will signal lower maintenance costs and more cost effective use of fuel. In addition, the new Airbus 300-600 will accommodate a payload of approximately 48 tonnes, which equates to an increase in payload of between 25% - 60%. This significant fleet expansion will help DHL satisfy continued strong customer demand throughout the Asia Pacific region and demonstrate’s our commitment to enhancing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading logistics hub. 

The six wide-bodied aircraft are due to be put into operation by AHK between the second half of 2004 and first quarter 2005. Planned routes for the aircraft are Hong Kong to the major capital cities throughout Asia. The company has an option for four more of the same aircraft at a later date. 

“Demand throughout Asia Pacific remains very strong and these new aircraft will continue to ensure that Air Hong Kong enhances the services provided to DHL in the fastest, most comprehensive and most reliable service possible,” said Terry Nord, DHL Worldwide. 

DHL 

DHL is the world's leading express and logistics company offering customers innovative and customised solutions from a single source. With global expertise in solutions, express, air and ocean freight and overland transport DHL combines worldwide coverage with an in depth understanding of local markets. DHL's harmonised international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

DHL continues to be at the forefront of technology and, with more than 150,000 dedicated employees, guarantees fast and reliable services aimed at exceeding customers' expectations.

Based in Brussels, Belgium, DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net.

For more information please contact:

Evgeny Doga, DHL Moldova, tel.+3732 228002, e-mail