Selangor identifies port Klang as ideal location for next DFTZ

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor state government has identified Port Klang as an ideal location for the next Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ), which could improve the ranking of the second largest container port in Asean, said state senior executive councillor, Datuk Teng Chang Kim.

Teng said the DFTZ would boost Port Klang’s ranking to become the 10th largest container port in the world from the current 12th position, as it would provide local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the opportunity to export their products globally via e-commerce.

“The DFTZ will increase the capacity of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and thus attract more investments from global players, making Selangor a regional logistics hub,” he added.

He told reporters this after launching the inaugural Investment Forum on Logistics Industry, themed, “Deepening Logistics Supply Chain in Selangor”, organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Invest Selangor yesterday.

Also present were MIDA Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Arham Abdul Rahman and Invest Selangor Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris.

On rumours that several investors were interested in developing Port Klang as an e-commerce hub, Teng said the state government had not received any proposals to that effect.

“We have to wait for KLIA DFTZ to get off the ground first and only then can we think about Port Klang,” he said.

Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Alibaba group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma launched the world’s first DFTZ outside of China last year, which could double the growth rate of Malaysian SME exports by 2025.

Through the DFTZ, Malaysia would serve as a regional efulfilment centre and regional hub for SMEs, marketplaces and monobrands.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Arham said as of April 2018, MIDA had approved 89 Integrated Logistics Services projects with a total investment of RM5.9 billion.

He said 123 companies had been granted International Integrated Logistics Services status, providing them with a Freight Forwarding Licence.

The Investment Forum on Logistics Industry was organised to position Selangor as the logistics gateway to Asean and create awareness on government initiatives in the logistics sector. — Bernama