KUALA LUMPUR: For the second time, the Kuala Lumpur International Logistics and Transportation (KiLAT) 2020 exhibition has been postponed, owing to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
KiLAT 2020 has the potential to tap into the spinoffs from over RM250 billion worth of logistics and transport development projects in the coming years in the country, and an estimated US$300 billion (about RM1.26 trillion) investments within the Asean region, revealed a leading player in the industry.
The event had attracted 125 exhibitors from over 10 countries and some 10,000 local and foreign visitors which could have spurred Malaysia's economy multi-fold from the return of investments.
KiLAT 2020 organiser Keith Kok said the biennial exhibition was originally scheduled for July 8 to 11 this year, but postponed to Jan 12 to 14, in line with the government's safety and health restrictions following the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) earlier in March.
Kok, who is EPL Exhibitions Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, confirmed that the Transport Ministry had notified them of the postponement to Oct 5-7 at the Malaysia International Trade and Convention Center (MITEC) in Sri Hartamas.
"We were made to understand that owing to the pandemic, subsequent lockdowns worldwide and the MCO, the situation did not warrant KiLAT 2020 to proceed as scheduled, to conform with social distancing measures.
"The government also took into consideration the budgetary constraints of participating nations and industries," said Kok, who had also organised the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2019 exhibition.
The Covid-19 pandemic had also knocked out a host of other international events planned in the country, including the biennial Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2020, which was concurrently planned with the National Security (Natsec) Asia 2020 from April 20 to 23 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Organisers had postponed DSA and Natsec to Aug 24 to 27 this year, but decided to cancel it altogether to conform with social distancing measures.
Also cancelled is next year's biennial LIMA 2021 that was slated for March, which has now been rescheduled to 2023.
"Malaysia will lose out on huge foreign exchange and revenue with the cancellations of these mega events and other international forums, conferences, exhibitions and seminars.
"The tourism, hotel, food and beverage, travel and tours and related industries are suffering massive losses running into billions of ringgit with the absence of visitors," said Kok.
He however, agreed that human lives were more valuable as organisers, governments and stakeholders took such matters seriously after careful consideration and consultation.
"Covid-19 poses grave uncertainties, which have resulted in global travel disruptions and other circumstances.
"Hence it is only prudent to defer or cancel the events, pending the discovery of a vaccine.
"At the same time, we want to ensure a conducive and productive business environment for our stakeholders, exhibitors and visitors attending the events," said Kok.
On KiLAT, Kok said that it could tap into the more than RM100 billion investment opportunities in projects involving the High Speed Rail; RM3.2 billion Johor Baru-Singapore rapid transit system; RM22 billion Mass Rapid Transit 3; RM450 million electric buses; RM20 billion ports' development and expansion projects; RM50 billion East Coast Rail Link; and RM10.8 billion Sarawak Autonomous Rail Transit.
"KiLAT is a dedicated logistics management, warehouse and supply chain solutions exhibition to showcase and demonstrate new products, technology, vehicles, equipment and services in all sectors.
"KiLAT will facilitate Malaysia to showcase its expertise and track record as a leading regional hub not only in the logistics and transport industry, but the rail and maritime sectors as well for the Asia Pacific region,"
said Kok.
He bel
ieved that KiLAT could act as a post-Covid-19 revitalisation event to showcase the latest innovation and technology supporting Malaysia's transportation development facilitating modern urban mobility, facilities, and connectivity.
"KiLAT covers all aspects concerning rails, ports, airports, aviation, land transport, transport manufacturing, signaling and communications, drones, electric buses and autonomous vehicle solutions.
"It is an exhibition dedicated to showcase and demonstrate new products, state-of-the art technologies, software, vehicles, equipment and services," said Kok.