e-Commerce giant Alibaba Group will set up a regional logistics hub in Kuala Lumpur that is expected to propel small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the online marketplace. The “e-fulfilment hub” – a logistics hub with warehousing facilities – will be located within Malaysia’s Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ), which was launched in March by Prime Minister Najib Razak and Alibaba founder Jack Ma.
The DFTZ will be overseen by Alibaba and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. The world’s largest retailer also inked four memorandums of understanding with Malaysia.
They involve a logistics hub with centralised customs clearance to speed up imports and exports; an online cross-border trading services platform linking Malaysia directly to China’s Hangzhou e-commerce free trade area; cooperation in e-payment and financing; and developing talent through training and support for the digital economy.