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CENTRAL to the
idea of free trade, as imbedded in AFTA, is that a free flow of trade would
generate greater volumes of trade among member countries to the benefit of
everyone. Conceivably too, free trade not only results in “creating” more
trade but also generate diversification of trade since free trade is an
instrument of free market mechanism.
The implementation of the AFTA is thus expected to foster greater flow of
trade among the Asean member countries. Malaysia is well-positioned in this
regard to help generate the growth that is expected of the AFTA. A major
ingredient in this respect is the role played by ports in the national
system, of which Kuantan Port potentially play a central role.
Located strategically mid-way along east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
and facing the South China Sea, Kuantan Port is ready to take on the
challenge and opportunities offered by AFTA. Trade with Asean already makes
up a large portion of the total trade handled by Kuantan Port. Last year,
the share of trade with Asean countries made up 43 per cent of the Port’s
turnover and is on the upward trend given the recent expansion of network of
shipping services linking our port with ports in the regional bloc. Our port
is directly served by shipping lines such as PIL, Maersk, New Econ, China
Straits Service, RCL, MISC, Samudera and Uniglory that link up with ports
like Bangkok, Cambodia, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Songkhla, Laem Chabang,
Jakarta and Manila within Asean, and other ports in Hong Kong, China, Japan,
Taiwan and Korea.
Given the immense opportunities that are expected from the implementation of
AFTA, Kuantan Port is well-positioned to play a bigger role to handle the
expected growth in the regional trade. By offering itself as a gateway port
for Asean countries sharing the vast South China Sea, Kuantan Port can be
the main staging port for trade between Malaysia and her Asean neighbours.
The completion of the Kuala Lumpur - Kuantan expressway in 2004 will assist
in the distribution and enhance Kuantan Port as a logistics centre for trade
amongst Asean countries. The Klang Valley will be only 3 to four hours away
from Kuantan versus a sea time of 36 hours, and ships need not sail around
the peninsular to the Straits of Malacca in order to save shipping time.
Kuantan Port is after all the most matured and multipurpose port that can
indeed play a positive role in this regard with the geographical outreach
identified. As a cost-effective port, we are in a position to bring
considerable benefits to shippers in the region and enhance their
competitiveness even beyond the region.
Dato’ Shansudin Md Dubi |
