KANGAR, Perlis, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- On 1^st of August 2022, Mutiara Perlis Sdn Bhd (Mutiara), the Owner-Developer-Operator of the new Perlis Inland Port (PIP) signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with PTT pcl (PTT), and Nathalin Group (Nathalin), for Thailand-Malaysia Track and Perlis Inland Port (PIP) Cooperation.
 
At the same ceremony, United Overseas Bank (Thailand) Co. Ltd., also signed a "Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement" with PTT, Nathalin and Mutiara.
 
The ceremony was witnessed by His Excellency Chainarong Keratiyutwong, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia and Mr. Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan, Chief Executive of Northern Corridor Implementation Authority of Malaysia (NCIA).
 
Mutiara Perlis was represented by its Chairman, Dato’ Shabaruddin Ibrahim while the Thai counterparts were represented by Mr. Chansak Chuenchom, Senior Executive Vice President of PTT, Mr. Suraphon Meesathien, Chief Executive Officer of Nathalin and Mr. Tan Choon Hin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB (Thailand).
 
PTT and Nathalin developed a seamless connectivity to Vientienne and Kunming in Thailand, with Chinese counterparts in April 2022, and is now cooperating with Mutiara to complete the Bangkok-Peninsular Malaysia loop. This will greatly improve the supply chain between Europe, China and ASEAN as China has already embarked on developing rail connectivity to Europe since 2011.
 
“This cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia stems from having the same vision and values. Through this co-operation, we aim to lead the integration of the supply chains of Malaysia-Thailand-China-Europe. This will mark the birth of a new intercontinental railway supply chain,” said Mr. Amir Abdillah, Executive Director of Mutiara, speaking on behalf of Mutiara.
 
Mr. Chansak of PTT believes the cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia is a real strategic cooperation based on both sides' mutual benefit and win-win situation. This cooperation will eventually lead to the integration of the supply chain from Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand-China-Europe. This is the first time in history that Southeast Asia, China and the European continent are connected by railway since the start of Silk Route 1000 years ago. This will surely contribute to the prosperity of both Malaysia and Thailand.
 
The Thai Government is supportive of this cooperation, as this will facilitate not only trade movements but enable Thais and Malaysians to collaborate for the greater good of both nations. There are plans in the pipeline to have a Thai delegation visit the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) of Malaysia in the near future to see further investment potential according to His Excellency Chainarong Keratiyutwong.
 
Mr. Haris of NCIA highlighted the joint call by Prime Ministers of Thailand and Malaysia in February 2022 for a closer collaboration between the two nations to increase trade value from current USD23 billion to USD30 billion by 2025, of which almost half will be transported via land.
 
“NCIA is committed to support PIP and other supporting infrastructures’ developments. These include Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA) which is adjacent to PIP and nearby industrial parks in Kedah that falls under the purview of NCIA namely the Kedah Rubber City (KRC) and Kedah Science & Technology Park (KSTP). PIP Phase 1 will have a capacity of 250,000 TEU which is double the current facility at Padang Besar, apart from improvement of border clearance facilities, services and space,” said Mr. Haris.
  
Boiler Plates
Mutiara Perlis Sdn. Bhd.
Mutiara is a joint venture between the State Government of Perlis and the private sector to develop transport & energy infrastructures in Perlis. One of the projects is Perlis Inland Port, a 500 acres inland depot at the border of Malaysia and Thailand with rail connectivity to facilitate trade movements between Malaysia and Thailand especially, and also to Kunming and interior China.
 
PTT Public Company Limited
PTT Group is Thailand's fully integrated energy company with leading position in exploration and production, transmission, petrochemical, refining, marketing and trading of petroleum and petrochemical products in both domestic and overseas. With belief in the power of synergy in ASEAN, PTT Group will be one of the powers that drive ASEAN towards sustainable future.

Nathalin Group
Nathalin Company Limited was founded in 1987. It is one of the largest transportation and energy groups in Thailand with business interests in marine transport, green energy and ship management, among others. Widely recognized as one of the largest independent operators of petroleum and chemicals tanker in Thailand, Nathalin serves major clients such as PTT plc.
 
Nathalin is a major shareholder in Seaoil PCL and Prima Marine PCL, both publicly listed on Stock Exchange of Thailand.
 
Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA)
NCIA is a regional development authority responsible for establishing directions, devising policies and strategies related to the socioeconomic development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). Incorporated in June 2008 under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Act 2008 (Act 687), NCER encompasses the four northern states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Perlis in Peninsular Malaysia. NCIA’s Chief Executive is Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan.
 
NCIA drives the growth of NCER towards becoming an excellent economic region while catalysing and implementing high value-added development programmes in six (6) economic clusters: Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Petrochemical, Mining, Green Economy and Services (Inc. Tourism; Logistics and Connectivity; and Digital Economy). 

Source: Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mutiara Perlis 
Name: Wan Ahmad Zaheed bin Wan Mohamad
Tel: 013 933 1119 

--BERNAMA