China, Malaysia promote twin industrial parks for cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR - China-Malaysia twin industrial parks are set to boost investment and cooperation between the two countries as well as in the region under China-proposed Belt and Road initiative, officials said Tuesday.

Companies from both countries signed a series of agreements on investment related to the Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi, China and the Kuantan Industrial Park in Malaysia respectively, including investment by Guangxi Investment Group to set up an aluminium component manufacturing facility in Malaysia.

Officials said the high level of interest shown thus far towards the twin parks underscores the long standing partnership the two nations have enjoyed in driving economic growth in the region.

Zhang Xiaoqin, vice governor of Guangxi, told an investment promotion conference here that the twin parks would bring about new growth and opportunities.

Since the two sides joining hands to expand the Kuantan Port less than two years ago, the port has seen doubling in both the volume of cargo it handled and its revenue, said Zhang.

The Kuantan industrial Park was launched in 2013 and is the first in Malaysia to be jointly developed with China. Its target industries include energy-saving and environment-friendly technologies, alternative and renewable energies, high-end equipment manufacturing and the manufacture of advanced materials.

In the Kuantan Industrial Park, a modern integrated steel plant to produce high carbon steel and H-shaped steel is scheduled to become operational in 2017, with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons. A porcelain production plant with a total investment of $600 million is also expected to be built.

In Qinzhou, the infrastructure for the first area of the industrial park is now ready for projects to move in.

Ong Ka Chuan, Minister II of Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Ministry, said Malaysia should seek the opportunities to participate in the Belt and Road initiative, to boost connectivity with the Belt and Road countries, particularly within Southeast Asian countries through institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.