Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cross-border trade infrastructure with Thailand through the development of an inland clearance depot in Perlis, a project seen as a key contributor to the countries’ shared trade target of US$30 billion by next year, according to
BERNAMA, partner of TV BRICS.
Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke underlined that the initiative is designed to improve efficiency in bilateral trade flows by offering integrated, faster, and more streamlined logistics services, while reinforcing Perlis’ role as a strategic gateway for regional commerce.
The project is also expected to support wider economic integration within Southeast Asia, strengthening connectivity between ASEAN markets and international trade routes, with Perlis positioned as a growing logistics and distribution hub.
Authorities noted that the inland clearance depot will contribute to regional development by generating new economic opportunities and attracting investment as part of broader initiatives under Malaysia’s Northern Corridor Economic Region, which includes industrial and innovation-driven projects.
The facility is planned with an initial capacity of 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – a standard measure based on 20-foot shipping containers – annually, with potential expansion to 2 million TEUs. Enhanced rail connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand is also expected to improve cargo movement efficiency and support more sustainable transport operations.