HONG KONG: Malaysia will focus on developing and expanding its logistics partnership within ASEAN, China and Asia Pacific countries, says Transport Minster Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the country was committed to creating a seamless, integrated and interconnected network across land, aviation and maritime transport network, including railways, airports and seaports.
“It is our aim to develop an efficient, productive and business-friendly environment as we transform Malaysia into a logistics hub within the region.
“As a matter of fact, in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Report 2017’, we were ranked 23rd for ease of doing business out of a total of 190 economies, ” he said at the Ninth World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES) here today .
Liow, who is also the Honorary Adviser to WCES, was confident Malaysia would eventually be able to improve its rankings as the country’s transport network and logistics sector gradually developed.
He said there was no doubt that transport infrastructure was crucial in promoting increased connectivity across nations.
“It is a key enabler that will certainly open up fresh opportunities for businesses.
“In particular, developing economies in Asia stand to benefit greatly, as market expansion and the formation of new network encourage more inter-trade,” he added.
Furthermore, Liow added that enhanced transport infrastructure would pave the way for a stronger logistics sector, which in turn would serve as the backbone of a nation’s economy.
On the two-day summit themed, ‘Managing Global Uncertainty: Exploring New Opportunities’, organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Liow said: “It is heartening to have international events and summits such as the WCES to inspire us to think deeper and work harder towards achieving economic integration.