KOTA BARU: Kelantan plans to develop Tok Bali into a maritime port city, industrial hub and development centre through the Tok Bali 2045 Special Area Plan.
Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Fadzli Hassan, who revealed this, said the plan would focus on three main components – Tok Bali Supply Base (TBSB), Tok Bali Integrated Fisheries Park and Tok Bali Industrial Park (TBIP).
“These components will complement one another in developing an economic ecosystem based on the maritime, fisheries and logistics industries, as well as support services, with potential to create more economic and employment opportunities for the local community,” he told the state assembly sitting yesterday.
He said more than 150 local companies had been given the opportunity to participate in the vendor supply chain at the TBSB.
“This achievement demonstrates that port operations have created opportunities for local companies to participate in the supply chain, service provision and industrial support activities.
“The TBIP which covers an area of approximately 81ha, is expected to provide opportunities for between 100 and 120 companies to undertake business and industrial activities upon its completion,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said growth of the maritime industry and offshore services in Tok Bali had increased demand for skilled workers in technical fields, engineering, maintenance, logistics and support services.
Mohamed Fadzli also said proposals for regular dredging of the Semerak Canal Estuary and Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) status for the TBSB must be thoroughly assessed to strengthen the facility’s regional competitiveness.
He said the assessment should consider economic benefits, financial implications, environmental sustainability and long-term impact on the local community.
He said the State Economic Planning Unit has been directed to conduct a comprehensive study covering technical requirements, infrastructure, management and potential economic benefits.
“The state government is prepared in principle to work closely with the Federal Government on the proposals, including on funding, technical expertise and approvals from the relevant agencies,” he said.
