M’sia aims to be Asean logistics hub

> Govt working towards providing seamless connectivity in region, says Liow

KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to turn the country into a logistics hub for Asean by providing seamless connectivity, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the government has been working hard on improving connectivity to ports by having a double-tracking train system as well as building the East Coast Railway.

He added that the government is also committed to building new ports in Port Klang, Pahang and Malacca as well as expanding the present ports in Sabah, Sarawak and Johor.

“E-commerce will be a big contributor to the country’s economic growth and the setting up of the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) near KLIA is the first step.”

Liow was speaking to reporters after opening the World Logistics Conference here yesterday.

He said more than 1,500 delegates and 77 countries are taking part in the conference, and the exhibition at the conference is one of the biggest.

Liow said the government welcomes international and local logistics players to set up shop at the DFTZ as it will provide them with an efficient cargo clearance facility.

Part of the DTFZ development will be a 500,000sq ft satellite services hub in Bandar Malaysia, and a virtual zone, which is the EServices platform.

The minister said the recently launched KLIA Aeropolis has 20 of the world’s top 25 freight forwarders operating and it will be the gateway to Asean with over 1,250 flights weekly within the region.

He said the government is committed to supporting the logistics sector through the national logistics task force.