LOGISTICS SECTORS NEEDS TO BE BEEFED UP, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The logistics industry is among the
services sector that needs to be beefed up as trade remains as an important
lifeline for Malaysia, International Trade and Industry Minister, Mustapa
Mohamed said.

"The government is committed to lowering the costs of logistics in order to
maintain Malaysia's competitiveness as a trading nation," he said in his speech
at the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry Services Summit
here Tuesday.

Among others, he said the government would cooperate with the private sector
in issues relating to regulations, procedures and infrastructure needed for the
sector to perform well.

"Efforts are being made to further consolidate and integrate the logistics
sector to not only provide better and competitive services to domestic
manufacturers but also to provide logistics services to neighbouring countries",
he added.

Asked later if the government would initiate a regulated consolidation for
the sector, Mustapa said : "Not in this point of time."

Malaysia was establishing new capacities and facilities in ports and
airports and was improving its infrastructure to position the country as a
regional hub for logistics.
-- BERNAMA