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Danzas AEI furthers its expansion in Africa

Purchase of Walford Meadows operations enhances position in central Africa

BASEL (Switzerland) (July 5, 2000) -- Danzas AEI today announced it has acquired the business and assets of three subsidiaries of Walford Meadows International, one of the leading transport logistics firms in central Africa.

Danzas AEI acquired Walford Meadows Limited, Zambia; Walford Meadows Limited, Malawi and Walford Meadows (Pvt) Limited, Zimbabwe. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition will enable Danzas AEI to establish company-owned and operated offices in Zambia and Malawi. Walford Meadows' Zimbabwe operation will be merged into Danzas AEI's existing Zimbabwe network, thus strengthening Danzas AEI's competitive position in the Southern African nation.

The transaction will expand Danzas AEI's intra-regional road freight system to provide customers with timely and frequent distribution services. The combined company will employ 250 people.

The acquisition positions Danzas AEI to capitalize on projected growth in logistics activity stemming from the formation of the "Southern African Development Community," an intra-regional free-trade compact that encompasses approximately 200 million people.

"Trade between central and southern African nations has been increasing, and shipping activity should be further boosted by recently enacted legislation to liberalize U.S.-Africa trade. We see great potential and opportunity in Africa," said Arthur McWilliam Smith, chairman, Danzas AEI South Africa.

Last month, Danzas AEI established a joint venture in Mauritius to help businesses take advantage of the African republic's manufacturing prowess. The venture, named Danzas AEI Intercontinental (Mauritius) Ltd. brings Danzas AEI together with World Express Co. Limited, the strongest freight forwarding company in Mauritius.

Logistics. Worldwide. With a strong presence on every continent, the Danzas Group is one of the world's leading providers of logistics solutions. Its 38,000 employees worldwide generate annual net sales of CHF 11.5 billion (EUR 7.2 billion, USD 7.6 billion). Danzas is based in Basel, Switzerland, and belongs to the Deutsche Post World Net.

For further information please contact:
Patrick Kaiser
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 61 274-7181
Fax: +41 61 274-7198

Candace Bouchard
Fax: (203) 655-5895
candace.bouchard@dhl.com