Port Klang seen ideal as next DFTZ

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor 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.

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

“The DFTZ will increase the twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) capacity and thus attract more investments from global players, making Selangor a regional logistics hub,” he said after launching the inaugural Investment Forum on Logistics Industry, themed “Deepening Logistics Supply Chain in Selangor”, here, yesterday.

The forum, aimed at promoting Selangor as the logistics gateway to Asean and create awareness on government initiatives, was organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Invest Selangor.

Also present were Mida deputy chief executive officer (CEO) Arham Abdul Rahman and Invest Selangor CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris.

On talk 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 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) DFTZ to get off the ground first and only then can we think about Port Klang,” he said.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma launched the world’s first DFTZ outside of China last year.

Through the DFTZ, Malaysia aims to serve as a regional e-fulfilment centre and hub for SMEs, marketplaces and monobrands.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Arham said as of April this year, Mida had approved 89 Integrated Logistics Services projects with RM5.9 billion in investment.

He said 123 companies had been granted International Integrated Logistics Services status, which gave them freight forwarding licences.