KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The government is stepping up negotiations with several countries in the region to facilitate the export of fresh durians to China by road and rail, with shipments expected to take just three to four days, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the initiative was aimed at providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to air freight, which is expensive, and sea transport, which takes considerably longer.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) was working closely with the Foreign Ministry and Transport Ministry to coordinate cross-border routes through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
“Overland shipments are expected to take only three to four days, allowing goods, particularly durians, to reach the Chinese market quickly. Malaysian durians are very popular among consumers in China, but sometimes they find it difficult to obtain them at more affordable prices,” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng).
Mohamad added that formal negotiations to secure transit rights began on July 20 to pave the way for the proposed route through the four countries. — Bernama