PTP chief executive officer, Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman explained that a fully develop port would see the establishment of increased distribution and consolidation services.

PTP is planning to build more medium-sized warehouses to cater to the growing need for such facilities.

Activities targeted for these warehouses include consolidating, packaging and labelling activities. PTP, aiming to be Southeast Asia's premier transhipment hub, is well positioned to capture this with plans for global port connectivity and its vast tracts of land.

Over the last two decades, Mohd Sidik explained, the manufacturing sector has provided Malaysia with high overall GDP growth rates.

With a total of 405 ha of port leasable land and 4,500 ha of private sector land outside the port, there will be a new manufacturing commercial land and industrial growth centre around PTP.

With developers already beginning aggressive marketing efforts since the port presence, this has and will lead to the creation of vital skilled jobs, technology-based industries and value-added business for business delegations from the Malay entrepreneurs association of Persatuan Pedagang dan Pengusaha Melayu Malaysa (Perdasama)members, other interested investors and the nation.

On the other end of the scale, various local entrepreneurs have already ventured into establishing restaurants to serve port workers, building maintanence services, and other crucial support services largely to provide for the port and its growing industries.

PTP is located on 1935 acres of Greenfield site and strategically located at Tanjung Pelepas in the southwest shoulder of Johor with 45 minutes away from the confluence of international shipping lanes. Phase One of PTP is currently operational with the first four of 6 berths.

Full Phase One completion will be in mid 2001 with 6 berths operational, capable of handling 3.8 million TEUs (20 equivalent units) per annum.

He said this in reply to Perdasama. The visit to the port is a part of trade initiative by Perdasama to seek various business opportunities in Johor.

They regarded PTP as the new catalyst for development in Johor and exploring opportunities in PTP would be vital for the members’ and association’s business growth.

The 100-strong group - led by its president, Moehamad Izat Emir, consists of Malay entrepreneurs, industrialists, suppliers and entrepreneurs from various industries throughout Malaysia.

Mohd Sidik told the group about the development of PTP and its progress after nine months of operations.

He explained and discussed at length various business opportunities at PTP which would arise as business at the terminal picks up.