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THE government
is continuing its effort to attract more foreign direct
investment for the petrochemical hub at the Eastern Corridor.
According to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), the
inflow was quite stagnant over the last two years.
However, things are improving for the better and MIDA expects some
improvements in terms of inflow of the foreign capital.
Various efforts by the port operator as well as the state and federal
government agencies is expected to see some results with the entry of MNC by
early next year in the Eastern Corridor. This will further spur the
development and role played by Kuantan Port as the petrochemical hub port.
The prospects, particularly in the petrochemical segment and its related
downstream projects and activities, would increase the capacity and
performance level of Kuantan Port.
In this respect MIDA hopes the new arrivals will contribute greater
throughput for Kuantan Port and to spur the economic development of the
three states on the East Coast, namely, Pahang, Teregganu and Kelantan.
Kuantan Port has all ingredients required by the investors and is capable of
catering for inflow and outflow of raw, semi-finished and finished products.
The port has an excellent infrastructure network of highways and rail
network to the “3K” industrial zone or – Kuantan, Kerteh and Kemaman – port
hinterland.
The facilities and services offered by Kuantan Port, for instance are
capable of serving the needs of shippers as there are many lines calling at
the port directly.
However, a MIDA official said this has to be constantly reminded by
pro-active marketing and promotional activities by the Port to various key
players in the petrochemical industries.
MIDA often takes the necessary steps to inform prospective investors on the
availability of petrochemical hub port. Information is being disseminated
through various agencies like MIDA offices, Malaysia trade offices and also
during our trade mission.
Meanwhile the Managing Director of KPC, Dato’ Haji Mohamed Awang Tera said
KPC has been working closely with MIDA and the Pahang state government to
get more downstream plastic product
manufacturers to locate their premises near the port.
“We have the polymer and resin-level industries here but we need to go one
step below, the downstream activities, small-medium companies that will
export through us.
“That will be good for us as it is an area that is lacking,” he said, adding
that the adjourning Gebeng Industrial Estate had not seen much development
in the last two years. He said the port is always committed for the
additional development of berthing facilities if
there is a demand.
“We are even willing to look into the option of dedicated berth arrangement
with shippers like MTBE and BASF,” said Dato’ Mohamed.
“Our emphasis would be to continue handling non-containerized and
chemical cargo, in line with the government’s policy to develop the
eastern corridor as a petrochemical hub serving Pahang, Terengganu,
Kelantan and the north of Johor,” said Dato’ Mohamed.
Today the port handles a substantial volume of petrochemical products and
related products via the terminal and in fact the tag name of petrochemical
port has also been well received by the potential investors, he added.
KPC has seven berths used for liquid bulk with 1,510 metres in length, six
berths for dry bulk with 935 metres in length and two container berths close
to 400 metres at the new inner harbour basin.
“Realising the need for additional berthing facilities we have spent close
to RM170 million for the dredging work on the new inner harbour basin,” he
said.
With ample area within the basin we are ever ready to cope with the
increasing size of ships entering our port water limit. In fact we can
develop six to eight more berths of 250 metres long without any dredging
work, said Dato’ Mohamed.
“Once privatisation of Kemaman Port takes place, it will provide a good
synergy in terms of tapping into the potential of the two ports to energise
the Eastern Industrial Corridor,” said Dato’ Mohamed. |
