(Malaysian) Courier firms have a key role to play.
MALAYSIA’s future as an exporting nation depends largely on its ability to move its exports to markets in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Stating that the development of basic air, sea and land networks by delivery and courier companies would play a vital role in this growth, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz yesterday said:
“These companies play an important role as global trade enabler by developing these networks as well as improve on connectivity.” With on-going market liberalisation at the regional and global levels, she said opportunities for trade would continue to expand, especially as Malaysian companies diversified their export markets.
“This market diversification will entail the entry into new and emerging markets where in most cases, the vital shipping and air links would be required,” she said.
She said this when opening the FedEx Express Centre at Penang International Airport’s MAB New Cargo Complex in Bayan Lepas.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Federal Express Services (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Ramesh Kumar Singam and Federal Express regional vice-president (South Pacific) Peter Yin.
Rafidah said as at June 1, Malaysia had 113 licensed courier companies, out of which six were foreign.
Of this total, 12 per cent had a turnover of more than RM5 million per annum, while 50 per cent had turnovers of less than RM100,000 per annum.
In terms of service coverage, more than half of the companies (53 per cent) provided local services, while the rest accorded both local and international services.
NEW STRAITS TIMES, 01st August 2001
