Transport Minister Anthony Loke encourages businesses to leverage Air Silk Road initiative for faster exports to China through improved air cargo services
KUALA LUMPUR: The private sector has been urged to capitalise on the Air Silk Road initiative to increase exports of Malaysian products to China via air cargo services.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this strategic collaboration provides traders with more efficient logistics facilities while accelerating shipments between both countries.
“Through the Air Silk Road collaboration, we will have better facilities in China for goods transported from Malaysian airports,” he told reporters after attending the T Forum 2025.
Loke emphasised that customs clearance is also expedited, which will enhance Malaysia’s export competitiveness.
The Air Silk Road initiative is expected to strengthen Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s position as a major regional logistics hub.
This development will bring significant benefits to airlines, cargo operators and related industry players.
Malaysia currently handles only about 12% of ASEAN air cargo services.
Most regional air cargo operations remain concentrated in Singapore’s Changi Airport and Bangkok, Thailand.
“The government has created a conducive and business-friendly environment, and the private sector must seize this opportunity,” Loke stressed.
Despite increased air cargo operations last year for products like durian and bird’s nest, local entrepreneurs should broaden their product offerings to China.
Improved transportation facilities through the Air Silk Road make this expansion more feasible.
“There is a large volume of goods from China to Malaysia and the ASEAN market due to the strength of their e-commerce sector,” Loke noted.
“Our challenge is identifying which products we can sell back, as we have not yet marketed many Malaysian products in China.”
Malaysia and China strengthened regional trade cooperation through a strategic cargo partnership on September 18.
This partnership positions KLIA as a major regional hub under a twin-hub model linking it with Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in China. – Bernama
