BEIJING - As part of its continued investment to tap the growing life sciences and healthcare industry, DHL, one of the world's largest logistics company, announced the launch of its life sciences and healthcare competence center in Beijing - the second of its kind in China.

According to a study released by DHL, China is projected to become the world's fifth largest pharmaceutical exporter, mainly in active pharmaceutical ingredient related products, and have the second largest healthcare expenditure in the world by 2015, the increasing demand for quality healthcare and a growing middle class.

The study also revealed that in 2010, the Chinese life sciences industry was estimated to be worth $75 billion and is projected to continue to grow rapidly at a compound annual growth rate of 17 percent between 2010 and 2015.

The burgeoning growth of the global life sciences and healthcare industry is expected to create bigger need for cold chain logistics service providers.

"Emerging markets are forecasted to contribute approximately 75 percent to global pharmaceutical sales growth by 2015. The opening of this second life sciences and healthcare competence center in China is a clear testament to the growing demand and opportunity we see in this sector and Asia Pacific," said Roger Crook, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight.

"We are also heavily investing in the most promising emerging market region, Asia Pacific, particularly in China, where customers' needs are becoming more complex."