Deutsche Post DHL and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) have been given the Distinguished Partner in Progress Award by the Government, in recognition of their contributions to Singapore's economic growth.

Deutsche Post DHL has been operating in Singapore for over 40 years and has more than 3,000 employees here today.

Singapore is home to the regional and some global headquarter activities of three of its business units - DHL global forwarding, DHL supply chain and DHL express.

IBM, meanwhile, established its local branch office here in 1953 with just three employees, but now Singapore is the base for its Asean headquarters.

In a statement today, the Economic Development Board (EDB) noted that these two companies have provided thousands of quality jobs and careers to Singaporeans over the years.

They have also introduced leading technologies and capabilities here and developed a strong Singaporean core in their respective sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who presented the award to the two companies at a ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel today, said: "Both DPDHL and IBM are global leaders who have played a significant role in the growth of Singapore's logistics and info-communications and media industries respectively.

"They both acknowledge and demonstrate the importance of innovation for business growth, and see Singapore as a home for their innovation endeavours."