Setia Alam: Driven by its strong economy, diverse workforce and high per capita purchasing power, Selangor has set an ambitious goal of establishing itself as the trade and logistics hub of Southeast Asia.
Selangor’s Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari said Selangor’s strong economy, diverse workforce and high per capita purchasing power have led to a global market seeking growth opportunities in the region. He said it is an ideal choice for companies.
“Selangor currently accounts for over a quarter of Malaysia’s overall gross domestic product at 25.5% in 2022 (this strengthens its position as a key driver of the country’s economic growth) ). With this increase, the Malaysian Investment Development Board announced that more than 50,000 jobs were created, including more than 10,000 high-income job opportunities in the manufacturing (sector) alone.” The value of the distribution center (GDC) is currently valued at RM1 billion.
Daiso Malaysia Group Sdn Bhd has partnered with the Kajima-Suncon joint venture represented by Kajima (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd to develop the new GDC in Port Klang, which will be the world’s largest warehouse.
“This partnership is in line with our vision to enhance Selangor’s status as a trade and logistics hub in Southeast Asia. It reflects our commitment to attracting high-value investments that create job opportunities,” Amiruddin said.
GDC will serve as Daiso’s global logistics hub, facilitating inbound logistics of Daiso products from countries such as Japan and China, and outbound logistics to 22 countries in Asia and the Middle East. It said the move would improve the availability of Daiso products in these regions.
Construction of the GDC is scheduled to begin in May 2024, with an estimated completion date of May 2026. GDC will collaborate with Murata Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to integrate automated storage and retrieval system technology into its operations.
The new 130,000 square meter GDC will carry a wide range of products including kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, personal care products, stationery and more, with a total of 35,000 stock storage units.
Daiso said the decision to choose Malaysia, and Port Klang in particular, as the main venue for the new GDC stemmed from several factors.
“Over time, Malaysia has emerged as a hub for inbound and outbound logistics due to its world-class infrastructure and easy accessibility and efficiency to Port Klang. Enabling connectivity to global markets “Thanks to its location, it is a preferred gateway for regional trade, making it an ideal location for new GDC projects,” it said in a statement.
He added that the establishment of the new GDC will also increase container traffic at local ports.
“This growth in economic activity will create demand for labor in a variety of sectors, from dockers and truck drivers to logistics managers and administrative staff. It will foster a sense of stability in the local community and create a virtuous cycle of economic growth through ripple effects.”
