Loke said Malaysia and China play an important role as logistics hubs for each other and other Asean countries.

“They (Chongqing) want to utilise our transport, rail and maritime network so goods can be traded between regions faster. Our logistics infrastructure must be well equipped.

“Malaysia is an important logistics hub as well for Asean, and we intend to have more trade between Malaysia and China, especially Chongqing,” he told reporters after officiating the China (Chongqing)-Malaysia International Land-Sea Trade Regional Cooperation and Exchange Conference here.

Loke said Chongqing is not only interested in Malaysia’s durians, but also its palm oil for use as edible oil.

He said that demand for Malaysian palm oil from China, especially Chongqing, is high and is expected to continue to increase.

“Chongqing’s untapped market is important for Malaysian companies to explore because most trade between Malaysia and China focuses on the coastal part of China like Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

“The western part of China is an important region, as 50% of the nation’s population is in that region. We can have more products from Malaysia going into Chongqing, so we have to utilise full logistical strength to increase exports there,” Loke said.

He said Malaysia, through Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), is also drawing up a railway connection from Malaysia to Laos for cargo goods.

“From Malaysia straight to Laos. If you can get to Laos, that means you can get to China because the two countries share a border,” he said.