To date, it has been reported that a total of 24 development projects worth nearly RM1 billion are now under construction as part of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) initiative. In Sarawak, there is a positive note on its economy which is expected to grow at 5% this year thanks to increased investments under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and implementation of projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“There is a strong wind sweeping economic changes in East Malaysia and we view these as positive developments that will spur the transportation and logistics industry. We believe that there are great opportunities in this region, not only for us (as truck manufacturers) but also for the local logistics and freight companies, to grow in tandem with economic growth in Sabah and Sarawak. We will continue to offer complete transport solutions to drive the endless development in the region,” added Nilsson.

The Volvo trucks delivered will be used to transport petroleum and crude palm oil, two of Malaysia’s most important natural resources and export materials.

“This will be our first time using Volvo trucks and we are certain that the trucks will drive our business to new heights as it has specifications that are tailor-made to our requirements and the business we are operating. Furthermore, Volvo’s brand reputation is renowned for quality and uptime and we are confident that these trucks will be an advantage to the company,” said Mr Wong Len Kee of Syarikat Kretam Mill Sdn Bhd, a member of Kretam Holdings Berhad.

When asked the rationale behind choosing a Volvo Truck for its business, Tuan Hj Talibe Bonga of ASTA Enterprise (petroleum transport company) said, “We chose Volvo because it gives us the best of both worlds – durability and comfort. Volvo trucks are durable on East Malaysian roads and yet they have comfortable cabins for our drivers. This gives us the confidence and we trust that it is worth the investment for our long term business.”

While this has been the first purchase of Volvo trucks for most of the companies, Haiweima Sdn Bhd has been operating its transport business using Volvo trucks since 2010. The company’s current order is an expansion of its Volvo truck fleet, bringing the number of prime movers to a total of 24 units