PM asks MOT to coordinate efforts for maritime industry to become more resilient

The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the Transport Ministry to lead coordination efforts to render support for the maritime industry to emerge as a stronger force and become more resilient.  He said the shipping industry must continue to be considered as the bloodline that supports connectivity, which is an essential part of global trade.   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00On the count of three. Three, two, one.

00:16The final lacking, unfortunately, is that we are not able to compete and exploit,

00:26utilize the present resources and innovate and improve the industry to be able to be playing a major role in the industry.

00:39So I think it is timely, therefore, as alluded to by the Minister,

00:45that the entire government, led by the Ministry of Transport,

00:52should coordinate their efforts and give whatever is required to render the support

01:02so that the industry emerges as a stronger force and maritime business becomes more resilient

01:14because shipping must continue to be considered as the bloodline that supports connectivity,

01:28which is an essential part of global trade.

01:37Now, I think it is more than 80%, almost 90% of Malaysia's exports are done by sea transport or the maritime industry,

01:50which means in terms of cost, it is more competitive and fortunately is deemed to be competitive and efficient.

02:03And we are proud to say that ports like Port Klang and PTP and Penang, among those ports that are emerging,

02:16has to be more effective, competitive, and I believe with the support of the industry,

02:28we can then ensure that we are not only in the top 20, but probably, under Minister Antony Loke, we can reach the top 10.

02:39Because we have the potential.

02:42What we need is the required support.

02:45The private sector must take the lead.

02:48And I can assure you on the part of the government, we need to do more.

02:53Yes, we have not given that sort of focus and emphasis in the past.

02:58And through Ekonomi Madani and the new Industrial Master Plan 2030,

03:05we will continue to establish good partnerships with our neighbours and big trading partners,

03:14which we are fortunate to have, namely the United States, Europe, and China.

03:20Many countries are fortunate to be in Malaysia, to be like in Malaysia, to be considered friendly to all these countries,

03:28and being part of APEC, CTPP, and having excellent engagements with the United States and Europe,

03:39and now increasing bilateral trade relations with China.

03:45And in my meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, I did indicate our interest to be part of BRICS.

03:57Now, the only consideration is, of course, trade, investments,

04:05and to be considered to be an independent country that can be used as a hub in terms of international trade between the West and the East.

04:14We have played that role in the past.

04:17And we should be able to be confident enough to determine our course of action,

04:24our priorities, our strategic interests, defined on our own terms.

04:32Now, this dynamic neutrality will certainly bear results,

04:37because as a trading nation, we need to increase foreign trade,

04:47and Malaysian waters should remain a center, an area that is most welcoming to all maritime industries,

05:00to all countries who would like to continue to trade with us.

05:06And I, therefore, would assure the participants that once we have to confront with the geopolitical challenges,

05:21we will maintain this route of fiercely independent and neutral,

05:29to be able to contain the negative forces and focus on what is considered to be our own priority,

05:43and to protect the national interests.

05:46So in our effort to both leverage global trends and to encourage investments into our country,

05:55it is imperative that we innovate now.

06:01So this is a challenge to the Malaysian maritime industry,

06:07because we do implement the Malaysian maritime single window as a central digital database and common data source,

06:19an important step forward in the digitalization of the industry.

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