PortsWorld, Open University to publish freight logistics journal
KLANG: PortsWorld and Open University Malaysia will jointly publish Journal of Freight Logistics to highlight new developments in the industry.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said the journal was the first of its kind in Malaysia and he was confident it would be valued by industry practitioners to help them keep abreast of the developments in the industry.
“For the Government, we are aware on the role and importance of freight logistics sector in fostering the development of the national economy.
“It was in this context that not so long ago, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority and the Economic Planning Unit collaborated to support a detailed study of the issues and problems affecting the freight logistics industry.
“The study was completed last year and the outcome was a report known as the Roadmap for the Development of the Malaysia Freight Logistics, which among others, identified bottlenecks in the documentation and cargo flow process,” he said in his speech read by the International Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Nik Rahmat Nik Taib at the launch of the journal.
According to Sagan, the report is important as Malaysia is very dependent on global marketplace for its exports and that its cargo must be transported in the most efficient, economical and safe manner.
“This is where freight logistics and supply chain management come in because it secures an efficient solution by ensuring the right product is transported to the right place, time, quantity, condition and cost.
“For the first half of this year, Malaysia’s total exports increased 6.5% to RM336.6bil, while total imports grew by 9.6% to RM277.7bil, compared with the previous corresponding period.
“Hence, Malaysia’s external trade balance had registered a surplus of RM58.9bil in the first six months of this year,” he said.
“In terms of export for transport services, Sagan said in the first nine months of this year, the value was RM11.2bil, of which 50% was contributed by sea freight,” he said.
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