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The volume of cargo generated by International Procurement Centres (IPCs)
via local ports and airport has been increasing in line with the spread of
the IPCs as procurement and distribution centres.
In 2005 a total of RM2.8 billion worth of goods was exported via local
gateways, of which 91.4 per cent was via seaports and 8.6 per cent through
airports.
The bulk of the goods were exported through Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA).
A total of RM1.7 billion was exported through Port Klang, followed by Penang
Port (RM270 million), and the balance through Nilai Inland Port and ports at
Pasir Gudang, Kuantan, Kemaman and Tanjung Pelepas.
Goods to be exported by IPCs through airports totaled RM218.2 million via
KLIA and the balance via Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang.
Meanwhile, a total of 15 projects to establish IPCs were approved last year
compared with 21 projects in the previous corresponding period.
Although the number of IPCs approved declined, the proposed annual business
spending increased from RM114.2 million in 2004 to RM126.4 million in 2005.
Similarly, sales turnover increased from RM3.7 billion in 2004 to RM4.3
billion in 2005.
Of the IPC projects approved, six were by Japanese MNCs, five by Malaysian
firms, one each from Germany and Thailand and the remaining two were joint
ventures with the Netherlands.
Eight IPCs were set up by manufacturing companies under the existing
manufacturing entities compared with 15 in 2004.
The IPCs will provide employment opportunities for 421 Malaysians.
Major IPCs approved include Omron Electronics Components Sdn. Bhd, Alps
Electric (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Texchem Food Sdn. Bhd., Lionex (M) Sdn. Bhd.,
Daitron (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the Cognis Group from the Netherlands and
Adventa Health Sdn. Bhd.
To date, a total of 177 IPCs have been approved.
Of these, 79 were by corporations from Japan, followed by Malaysia (29), the
USA (13), Taiwan (11) and Singapore (9).
The IPCs serve as procurement and distribution centres and undertake supply
chain management for their manufacturing operations both in Malaysia and
abroad.
Of the IPCs approved, about 60 per cent were servicing the electrical and
electronic industry, followed by the chemicals, machinery and industrial
parts, textiles and furniture industries.
As at the end of 2005, a total of 119 IPCs were in operation.
Japanese MNCs which have located their IPC operations in Malaysia include
Matsushita, Sony, Hitachi, JVC, NEC Electronics, TDK, Kenwood, Brother
Engineering, Sharp-Roxy, Canon Opto, Murata, Mitsumi and Sumiden.
Other world renowned MNCs which have established IPC operations in Malaysia
include Robert Bosch, B.Braun and Henkel from Germany; Dell, Smart Modular
Technologies and Knowles from the USA; Acer and Inventec Electronics from
Taiwan; Mapa Spontex and Safic-Alcan from France; Ikea from Sweden and Lee
Kum Kee from Hong Kong. |
