RM3b fisheries hub to transform state
KUALA KEDAH: Seeing the traditional equipment used by local fishermen, China’s ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Huang Huikang, is confident that the Kedah Integrated Fishery Terminal (KIFT) Project will help modernise the country’s fishing industry.
The RM3 billion joint-venture project between the state government and China’s Qingdaobased company, Lu Haifeng Investment Co Ltd, will transform Kedah into an international fisheries centre in 10 years.
“The integrated terminal will promote Kedah as an international fisheries hub and attract investments.
“Bringing in world-class aquaculture and fishery technology will upgrade the industry.
“After an observation, I realised that the equipment and vessels here are the traditional equipment of the 1960s.
“The high-technology used in KIFT can help modernise the industry,” Huang said after attending a briefing session presented by Lu Haifeng Investment Co Ltd executive director Li Bin here yesterday.
He said KIFT would be a mutual-benefit investment for Malaysia and China.
“The project will be built in the spirit of multilateral cooperations, open platform, technology transfer and sharing of resources.
“It will be a win-win situation and will bring long-term economic growth.”
Present were Invest Kedah adviser Datuk Dr Cheah Soon Hai and Kedah Fishing Boat Owners Association chairman Toh Sang Chai.
The project involves the construction of facilities for the landing and processing of tuna fish.
Fully funded by the private company, the terminal will be the base for tuna fishing boats operating in the Indian Ocean.