Malaysia is top Southeast Asia market in logistics ranking
KUCHING: Malaysia has topped the rankings of Southeast Asian nations (Asean) in the just-released 2017 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index.
Malaysia ranked fourth in the overall Index, which offers a snapshot of industry sentiment and a ranking of the world’s 50 leading emerging markets by size, business conditions, and infrastructure and transport connections.
China, the world’s secondlargest economy, was again the number one emerging market, ahead of India which climbed to number two, its highest-ever Index ranking.
Next were United Arab Emirates (third), Malaysia (fourth), Saudi Arabia (fifth), Indonesia (sixth), Brazil (seventh), Mexico (eighth), Turkey (ninth) and Russia (10th).
“Malaysia’s open economy and continued investment in infrastructure have positioned it as an attractive export location.
“The country continues to develop and upgrade its economy with an aim to achieve a high-income status by 2020.
“It is likely to remain an Asean leader and a country that other emerging markets look to as they develop their own long-term strategic blueprints,” said Chris Price, chief executive officer (CEO) of Asia-Pacific for Agility Global Integrated Logistics.
Of the 50 countries in the Index, Malaysia was number two behind only United Arab Emirates in Market Connectedness, which measures the effectiveness of a country’s domestic and international transport infrastructure.
Among the smaller economies in the Index - those with annual gross domestic product (GDP) of US$300 billion or less - it had the best Market Size and Growth Attractiveness rating.
The Index, now in its eighth year, reflected stagnation in global growth and turbulence in emerging markets. There were no changes among countries among the top 10, but scores for seven of the 10 countries deteriorated: China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Russia.
Other 2017 Index highlights included that logistics executives surveyed say the health of China’s economy is likely to set the tone for emerging markets overall.
Seventy- six per cent of survey respondents said China’s economy is slowing, but only 17 per cent said the slowdown is significantly hindering the transport and logistics sector. Nearly 66 per cent said a slowing Chinese economy will not alter their business or expansion plans in China.
Iran leapt eight spots to number 18 in the Index and climbed from ninth to number 15 among countries that survey respondents say has the most potential to grow as a logistics market.
Iran’s gains were the largest of any country in the 2017 Index or survey.
Despite their upbeat views of India and Iran, industry professionals sounded notes of caution about the broad outlook for emerging markets. Nearly 69 per cent expressed concern that the UK’s Brexit vote and the failure of global and regional trade initiatives signal a threat to trade.
A sizeable minority - 43 per cent – said the International Monetary Fund is too optimistic in forecasting 4.6 per cent growth for emerging markets in the coming year.
Pakistan improved its year-to-year ranking, jumping three spots to number 17. Thailand (number 15) and Sri Lanka (number 32) both fell two spots. Rankings for other Asia-Pacific markets: Philippines (16th); Vietnam (19th); Bangladesh (27th); Cambodia (45th).
Myanmar (48th) was added to the Index for the first time, along with Iran (18th), Ghana ( 39th), Angola (49th) and Mozambique (50th). Previous-year scores were calculated for those countries to give a basis for year- on-year comparisons.
Transport Intelligence ( Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, compiled the Index.
“Uncertainty and volatility have characterized many emerging markets in 2016. This has been compounded by the political environment in Europe and the US, which will have direct consequences on trade with Latin America, Asia and Africa.
“However there have been many positives too – for example, the strong performance of India. More than ever, the Index identifies and contrasts those markets which will prosper from the most vulnerable and poorest performing,” John Manners-Bell, CEO of Ti, said.