The Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) has remained a vital economic key along Malaysia’s east coast a decade after its establishment, increasing industrial output and job creation.
This has enabled Malaysia to simplify its commerce with East Asia, particularly China, Malaysia’s top trading partner for various commodities and manufactured goods, according to the CEO of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).
MCKIP is a flagship project for bilateral investment cooperation between Malaysia and China. MCKIP is the first industrial park in Malaysia to be jointly constructed by Malaysia and China and to receive the title of national industrial park, according to ECERDC CEO.
“Malaysia and China both observed an increase in investment due to the development of MCKIP. Since its debut in February 2013, MCKIP has become one of ECERDC’s most successful industrial parks, the CEO of ECERDC said.
The MCKIP is a significant Belt and Road initiative project and an exploration site for international industrial capacity collaboration. The MCKIP and the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park, located in southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, have pioneered the concept of “Two Countries, Twin Parks” in bilateral economic cooperation.
According to the CEO of ECERDC, “the development of MCKIP has generated high-paying jobs for locals in the area in a variety of positions from management to production.”
CEO of ECERDC stated the growth and expansion of Kuantan Port in Pahang state have helped the MCKIP and other important Malaysian industries, including palm oil, rubber, and other commodities, by providing a direct outlet to the South China Sea and facilitating trade with East Asia.
The throughput of Kuantan Port is anticipated to double, from 26 million freight-weight tonnes to 52 million freight-weight tonnes, once the development is fully complete. In addition to creating jobs for locals in the shipping sector, the expanded port operations and development of cargo services will also present economic prospects for regional freight forwarders and logistical players, said ECERDC CEO.
CEO of ECERDC stated the MCKIP is one of Malaysia’s significant projects under the initiative, which also includes the East Coast Rail Link, in his remarks regarding the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI) tenth anniversary, of which Malaysia was an early partner and remains strongly committed.
According to ECERDC CEO, “Its success speaks loudly of the strong cooperation between Malaysia and China.” CEO of ECERDC anticipates a large increase in the transportation of products and persons to and from MCKIP via Kuantan Port and ECRL with the completion of ECRL, which is also an important project under the BRI.
