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Last Updated: Sep 25th, 2006 - 11:36:04 |
Simple, speedy moves at Port Klang Free Zone
June 19 2006
THE Government wants to simplify and speed up business procedures at the up-and-coming Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) for a more efficient and seamless trade facilitation, Transport Minister Datuk Sri Chan Kong Choy said.
"Making fast decisions is vital," he said. "If foreign investors wants to come in and they have to go to one department, wait for approval for three months and then go to another department for two months again, that it is really frustrating. Making fast decisions is one area we are looking at very seriously," Chan told reporters in Dubai last week.
He said as PKFZ is a strategic project of national interest, it has been given top priority by both the Federal as well as the Selangor State Government.
PKFZ, a 405ha international cargo distribution and consolidation centre adjacent to Westport, is the Government's second biggest investment in the port industry since 1990s and has been developed as the country's first fully integrated free commercial and industrial zone.
Owned by Port Klang Authority, the free zone is modelled after the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, widely recognised as the most successful free zone in the world.
PKFZ is managed and marketed by Jafza International, the manager of Jebel Ali Free Zone and it will be fully-operational within this year.
Chan said the Government is exploring the possibilities of creating a one-stop agency, replicating Jebel Ali's model, for seamless trade facilitation. This is because the Government recognises that the success of Jebel Ali Free Trade Area is largely due to the free zone authority having autonomous power in all areas and aspects of operating the area, including all approvals concerning investors' business operations.
However, this does not mean that foreign companies coming into PKFZ could skip approvals from relevant authorities like Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) or the Foreign Investment Committee. "PKFZ will not be identical to Jebel Ali, but will go as closely as possible," Chan said.
Chan led a mission to Dubai last week to promote logistics opportunities in Westports and PKFZ in Port Klang. Other members of the mission included Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman Datuk Yap Pian Hon, PKA general manager Datin Paduka O. C. Phang and PKFZ managing director Noel Gulliver William. The function was attended by over 400 shipping and maritime industry leaders. Also present was Salma Hareb, chief executive officer of Jafza.
The mission's aim is to attract investors, manufacturers and shipping liners to come to Port Klang and be a part of PKFZ as well as participate in Malaysia's halal initiatives in Port Klang and other parts of the country.
The free zone aims to have 500 to 600 companies within seven to 10 years, creating 20,000 to 25,000 jobs in total.
Meanwhile, Jafza's Salma said the company will sell PKFZ to its over 5,000 existing customers.
"The partnership with PKFZ completes our network around the globe. The customers trust us and we in turn trust our partners to take good care of the customers," Salma said.
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