BIMP-EAGA hailed as most mega diverse region in the world | |
31st March, 2011 Kota Kinabalu The Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Phillipines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) has been hailed as the most mega diverse region in the world. In a statement yesterday, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the ministers responsible for the BIMP-EAGA’s tropical rainforests and marine resources gave this recognition at the one-day Conference on the Heart of Borneo and Coral Reefs in Temburong, Brunei Tuesday. In a joint statement, the ministers of the four-member countries said the two ecosystems of forests and coral reefs were interconnected and good strategies and plans were currently being implemented including maintaining the ecological corridors joining the terrestrial and marine biodiversity. “The ministers agreed that their respective national action plans would form the basis for the development and conservation of the two ecosystems and recognised the importance of collaboration efforts among member countries in the areas of common interest such as in eco-tourism and research and development,” it said. Meanwhile, Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, MinDA Chair and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA, said the role of the business entities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local government units in the conservation of the seas, oceans, forests, and species in the coral triangle should not be forgotten. “BIMP-EAGA governments should adapt a proactive role in taking the lead in the formulation and implementation of conservation policies by setting up business models where prospective business corporations and NGOs may become key players in protecting the marine and coastal resources in the coral triangle”, she said. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Douglas Uggah and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili. Representing Brunei were Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng and Industry and Primary Resources Minister Pehin Dato Yahya. Indonesia was represented by Zulkifli Hassan while Philippines by Mindanao Development Authority chairman, Antonino. |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
BIMP-EAGA
Logistics Malaysia
Agility building up Malaysia presence
Agility has broken ground on a new logistics facility in Melaka, Malaysia, that will be open for business in September.
The new logistics centre will support a variety of industry sectors and will target the growing alternative renewable energy industries in Melaka. It will also provide a full range of vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and other logistics services to Agility’s customers in this sector.
“Agility is at the forefront of developing its logistics services for the renewable energy sector in Malaysia,” said Mike Gildea, Agility’s Southeast Asia CEO.
“Malaysia is a strategically important country for us and opening this facility is another example of our long-term commitment.”
The new 11,890 sqm hub will incorporate the latest energy saving technology and has been designed to meet the latest ecological standards, to include maximising the use of natural light to reduce energy costs.
The hub will be TAPA certified and will have 10 loading docks, a full staging area and will be able to handle both dangerous and non-dangerous goods.
Agility has broken ground on a new logistics facility in Melaka, Malaysia, that will be open for business in September.
The new logistics centre will support a variety of industry sectors and will target the growing alternative renewable energy industries in Melaka. It will also provide a full range of vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and other logistics services to Agility’s customers in this sector.
“Agility is at the forefront of developing its logistics services for the renewable energy sector in Malaysia,” said Mike Gildea, Agility’s Southeast Asia CEO.
“Malaysia is a strategically important country for us and opening this facility is another example of our long-term commitment.”
The new 11,890 sqm hub will incorporate the latest energy saving technology and has been designed to meet the latest ecological standards, to include maximising the use of natural light to reduce energy costs.
The hub will be TAPA certified and will have 10 loading docks, a full staging area and will be able to handle both dangerous and non-dangerous goods.
Aviation Hub
Pipe Dream
- Aviation Hub
H.M.C.Nimalsiri
With airline hubs already established in the region, ie in the Middle East and Singapore respectively, it will be difficult for Colombo to also compete to be another regional hub, an official said.
H.M.C. Nimalsiri, Director General Civil Aviation, speaking at a seminar in Colombo on Thursday said that if Sri Lanka is aspiring to be a regional hub it may have to create demand by being a free port and by moving towards industrialization.
Sri Lanka under the Government’s “Mahinda Chinthana” policy document aspires to develop five hubs, one of which is aviation.
“The island may be strategically located for marine transport, but not for the aviation industry,” he said. Already air routes in the East and the West go well over Sri Lanka, as a result the island is not located in the air routes of Asia, Far East and the West, said Nimalsiri.
He further said that the development of Bangalore and Hyderabad airports by private operators posed a threat to Colombo in that the private sector was market savvy.
Creating a hub later will be difficult, said Nimalsiri. Malaysia tried to outbeat Singapore by building an airport that could take twice Changi’s number, but ultimately ended up getting only half the load that Changi gets, he said.
A new airline that will touch down in Colombo this year will be Aeroflot. Fifty per cent of passengers to Colombo fly in the national carrier SriLankan.
Nimalsiri said that non aviation related charges such as income accrued from shopping and restaurant services in developed airports such as Dubai and Changi constitute 70% of their revenue.
During question time a member of the audience said that SriLankan’s monopoly in ground handling threatened Colombo’s aspiration to become a hub. He alleged that while SriLankan charged a fee of US$ 3,242 per turnaround aircraft, in certain other parts of the region, the charges were a fifth of that, at US$ 650, and at the higher end US$ 1,200; still almost a third of what SriLankan charged.
Johanne Jayaratne, Executive Director Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd., the other speaker at the event said that he has no authority to speak about allowing the entry of a second player to the ground handling business.
He however acknowledged the fact that such services should be competitive.
Jayaratne in his speech said that there are plans to double the airport’s capacity from the current annual capacity of six million (which it has almost reached) to 12 million by building a new terminal and pier and also by constructing a second runway, with negotiations being conducted with the BoI to get the adjacent land belonging to them for that purpose.
However cargo capacity is yet to peak, with Colombo having the capacity to handle 300,000 metric tons, but currently handling just over half that amount.
A domestic terminal will also be on stream by the year end.
Plans are also underway to ratify the Montreal Convention which will supersede the Warsaw Convention that would up airline passenger liability from the current US$ 15,680 to US$ 100,000; and if death is due to the negligence of the airline, then that liability would be unlimited. Air Force will also invest in a 52 seater turbo aircraft catering to the South Indian aviation market.
The event was organized by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka.
H.M.C. Nimalsiri, Director General Civil Aviation, speaking at a seminar in Colombo on Thursday said that if Sri Lanka is aspiring to be a regional hub it may have to create demand by being a free port and by moving towards industrialization.
Sri Lanka under the Government’s “Mahinda Chinthana” policy document aspires to develop five hubs, one of which is aviation.
“The island may be strategically located for marine transport, but not for the aviation industry,” he said. Already air routes in the East and the West go well over Sri Lanka, as a result the island is not located in the air routes of Asia, Far East and the West, said Nimalsiri.
He further said that the development of Bangalore and Hyderabad airports by private operators posed a threat to Colombo in that the private sector was market savvy.
Creating a hub later will be difficult, said Nimalsiri. Malaysia tried to outbeat Singapore by building an airport that could take twice Changi’s number, but ultimately ended up getting only half the load that Changi gets, he said.
A new airline that will touch down in Colombo this year will be Aeroflot. Fifty per cent of passengers to Colombo fly in the national carrier SriLankan.
Nimalsiri said that non aviation related charges such as income accrued from shopping and restaurant services in developed airports such as Dubai and Changi constitute 70% of their revenue.
During question time a member of the audience said that SriLankan’s monopoly in ground handling threatened Colombo’s aspiration to become a hub. He alleged that while SriLankan charged a fee of US$ 3,242 per turnaround aircraft, in certain other parts of the region, the charges were a fifth of that, at US$ 650, and at the higher end US$ 1,200; still almost a third of what SriLankan charged.
Johanne Jayaratne, Executive Director Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd., the other speaker at the event said that he has no authority to speak about allowing the entry of a second player to the ground handling business.
He however acknowledged the fact that such services should be competitive.
Jayaratne in his speech said that there are plans to double the airport’s capacity from the current annual capacity of six million (which it has almost reached) to 12 million by building a new terminal and pier and also by constructing a second runway, with negotiations being conducted with the BoI to get the adjacent land belonging to them for that purpose.
However cargo capacity is yet to peak, with Colombo having the capacity to handle 300,000 metric tons, but currently handling just over half that amount.
A domestic terminal will also be on stream by the year end.
Plans are also underway to ratify the Montreal Convention which will supersede the Warsaw Convention that would up airline passenger liability from the current US$ 15,680 to US$ 100,000; and if death is due to the negligence of the airline, then that liability would be unlimited. Air Force will also invest in a 52 seater turbo aircraft catering to the South Indian aviation market.
The event was organized by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Port Management - A Matter of Principle
Rotterdam port supervisory board chairman quits
Chairman of the Port of Rotterdam Authority Supervisory Board Ad Scheepbouwer will step down in May following “a fundamental difference of opinion with the shareholders (the municipality of Rotterdam and the State) regarding the process for establishing a new remuneration policy for the Port Authority”.
No further details were given by the port authority, which said in a statement that Rutger van Slobbe would temporarily take over the chairmanship from Scheepbouwer during the meeting of the Supervisory Board on 17 May.
René Smit, the supervisory director who was nominated for appointment by the Works Council, has decided not to put himself up for re-appointment after a period of four years, “due to a busy schedule elsewhere”. Merel van Vroonhoven, NS board member (Dutch railways), will replace Smit.
Following the departure of Scheepbouwer and Smit, the Supervisory Board will comprise Rob Abrahamsen, Mel Kroon, Rutger van Slobbe and Merel van Vroonhoven. The search is on for a fifth supervisory director.
Chairman of the Port of Rotterdam Authority Supervisory Board Ad Scheepbouwer will step down in May following “a fundamental difference of opinion with the shareholders (the municipality of Rotterdam and the State) regarding the process for establishing a new remuneration policy for the Port Authority”.
No further details were given by the port authority, which said in a statement that Rutger van Slobbe would temporarily take over the chairmanship from Scheepbouwer during the meeting of the Supervisory Board on 17 May.
René Smit, the supervisory director who was nominated for appointment by the Works Council, has decided not to put himself up for re-appointment after a period of four years, “due to a busy schedule elsewhere”. Merel van Vroonhoven, NS board member (Dutch railways), will replace Smit.
Following the departure of Scheepbouwer and Smit, the Supervisory Board will comprise Rob Abrahamsen, Mel Kroon, Rutger van Slobbe and Merel van Vroonhoven. The search is on for a fifth supervisory director.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
PORT: $342m earmarked to boost Tanjung Priok capacity
State port operator PT Pelindo II will spend up to US$342 million in capital expenditures to boost the capacity of container terminals at the company's Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.
Tanjung Priok Port general manager Cipto Pramono said that his company would allocate around $310.26 milllion of the total expenditures to purchase 47 units of heavy equipment, such as cranes, to support faster loading and unloading activities, reported the Jakarta Post.
"With the new equipment we can speed up our loading and unloading capacity by two to three times and cut a ship's waiting time by 60 percent," he said.
According to Pelindo data, Tanjung Priok Port, which has three container terminals – Terminal I and II of Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) and Koja Container Terminal – can load nine to 10 containers an hour, while ships in the port have to wait at least four days to load or unload their containers.
The Indonesian Logistics Association (ALI) recently said that the logistical costs in Indonesia were among the highest in ASEAN at around 25 to 30 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).
The survey of World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) for 2010 also placed Indonesia in 75th rank of 155 countries surveyed, below Malaysia (29th), Thailand (35th), the Philippines (44th) and Vietnam (53rd).
The index examined the logistical performance of the countries based on several factors, including Customs clearance efficiency and the period of shipment deliveries, which partly depended on port operation efficiency.
Cipto said that Tanjung Priok terminals would be the priority of its capacity improvement plan because they handled around 65 percent of exports as well as import activities in the country.
According to Pelindo data, the port handled around 4.61 million TEUs in 2010, a 21.31 percent increase from 3.8 million TEUs in 2009.
Cipto said that in anticipation of a surge in the number of containers stored at the port in the future, his company would also spend $13.23 million to expand container piling yards by transforming 13 warehouses into yards. It would also allocate $9.53 million to strengthen the construction of six piers covering a 20 hectare area, he said.
Pelindo II spokesman Hambar Wiyadi said that apart from the expansion plan, his company expected to start the construction of Kalibaru Utara container terminal as part of the long-term development of Tanjung Priok Port. The construction, he said, would take around $2.53 billion in investment.
He said the terminal, which was 3,500 km in length, would be allocated for oil and gas cargoes.
Ambar said his company would also build three container terminals in Palembang, Pontianak and Bengkulu ports with a total investment of $172.36 million next year.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Penang Port attracts foreign suitors
The race for control of Penang Port is heating up, reported The Edge Malaysia.
In addition to the current proposals by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary and Oriental Pearl Harbour – a consortium led by Siew Ka Wei – two foreign parties have joined the fray to take over the port, sources say.
One of these is DP World, one of the world’s largest marine terminal operators. DP World is Dubai World’s port operations arm.
It is learnt that DP World has expressed its interest in Penang Port to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), but it is uncertain if a formal bid has been submitted.
The other contender in the tussle for Penang Port is believed to be a consortium made up of an India-based company and the Pahang royalty. However, details about the parties and their proposals are scarce at the moment.
The Penang government has also reportedly made a proposal to the federal government to acquire Penang Port. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government would be ready to offer equity interest to foreign partners if required.
However, the federal government has yet to decide on any of the offers. This decision lies with Unit Kerjasama Awam Swasta (UKAS), which will be handling the privatisation of the port.
The Penang Port is managed and operated by Penang Port, wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry took over all facilities and services from the Penang Port Commission in January 1994 as part of a privatisation plan.
It is said that the performance of the port was not up to par due to inefficiencies. The port’s profit in 2009 was US$25.25 million and port managing director Ahmad Ibnihajar said the port could see lower profit in 2010, estimated at about $13.16 million, owing to lower tax incentives. Ahmad added that depreciation would also bring down its profit in 2011. But with a tariff increase due in 2012, the port’s profits are expected to improve after 2014, he said.
The keen interest shown by various parties to take control of the port is a clear indication that many see the port as a viable and profitable venture. In 2010, the port breached the one million TEU barrier. It is targeting a throughput of two million TEUs in the next five years.
Penang Port is ranked No 3 in the country after Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westports, and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), which is controlled by Syed Mokhtar.
In addition to the current proposals by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary and Oriental Pearl Harbour – a consortium led by Siew Ka Wei – two foreign parties have joined the fray to take over the port, sources say.
One of these is DP World, one of the world’s largest marine terminal operators. DP World is Dubai World’s port operations arm.
It is learnt that DP World has expressed its interest in Penang Port to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), but it is uncertain if a formal bid has been submitted.
The other contender in the tussle for Penang Port is believed to be a consortium made up of an India-based company and the Pahang royalty. However, details about the parties and their proposals are scarce at the moment.
The Penang government has also reportedly made a proposal to the federal government to acquire Penang Port. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government would be ready to offer equity interest to foreign partners if required.
However, the federal government has yet to decide on any of the offers. This decision lies with Unit Kerjasama Awam Swasta (UKAS), which will be handling the privatisation of the port.
The Penang Port is managed and operated by Penang Port, wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry took over all facilities and services from the Penang Port Commission in January 1994 as part of a privatisation plan.
It is said that the performance of the port was not up to par due to inefficiencies. The port’s profit in 2009 was US$25.25 million and port managing director Ahmad Ibnihajar said the port could see lower profit in 2010, estimated at about $13.16 million, owing to lower tax incentives. Ahmad added that depreciation would also bring down its profit in 2011. But with a tariff increase due in 2012, the port’s profits are expected to improve after 2014, he said.
The keen interest shown by various parties to take control of the port is a clear indication that many see the port as a viable and profitable venture. In 2010, the port breached the one million TEU barrier. It is targeting a throughput of two million TEUs in the next five years.
Penang Port is ranked No 3 in the country after Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westports, and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), which is controlled by Syed Mokhtar.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
THE ECONOMY
With the risk of rising consumer prices, it will be interesting to see how Bank Negara Malaysia is able to ensure that Malaysia enjoys economic growth of between 5 and 6 per cent this year.
Unrest in Egypt, Bahrain and Libya, as well as most of the Middle East, will have a crushing effect on the already fragile recovery in the global economy.
If 2010 showed economies were on the mend, 2011 promises normal growth levels as economic activities return, at least in the Asian region, on better domestic spending.
Elsewhere, economic recovery has been spreading in Europe, led by Germany.
Confidence has also picked up in all 27 member countries of the European Union, including those hit by the sovereign debt crisis.
Across the Atlantic, the US economy has clearly been on the mend with job payroll figures looking brighter. Holiday spending levels in November and December appear to be returning.
A confident American consumer is important for the Malaysian export market, which hinges largely on the performance of its electrical and electronics sector.
But it looks like any full recovery will have to wait as the ripple effects of discontent continue to meander through oil producing countries.
What does it take to reach the proportions of three years ago? According to some research estimates, the price would likely be in the region of US$120 to US$125 (RM364 to RM379) per barrel.
A rise to US$100 (RM303) per barrel of oil price could necessitate a 40 sen per litre hike, which could easily bring the average inflation in 2011 to 2.9-3.6 per cent for Malaysia, as food prices and transport costs also rise in tandem.
For Malaysia, it's a double-edged sword. For one, good times are here for the commodity players with expectations of palm oil prices to average RM3,652 this year, while rubber prices are also hitting records.
In the meantime, the average wage earner has to brace for tough times if petrol prices rise again. The price for unsubsidised RON97 petrol is now RM2.50 per litre, up by almost a fifth while the subsidised RON95 is up 6 per cent to RM1.90 per litre.
So far, the government has pledged to absorb the extra subsidy from higher oil prices.
But the subsidy bill, budgeted at RM10.3 billion this year, could jump to more than RM14 billion if prices continue to jump, said a cabinet minister recently.
With the risk of rising consumer prices, it will be interesting to see how Bank Negara Malaysia views the situation and how it is able to ensure that Malaysia is able to enjoy economic growth of between 5 and 6 per cent this year
Read more: Oily scenario continues to challenge policymakers http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup5002/Article/index_html#ixzz1G4PP64a7
HERE we go again. The familiar scene of rising oil prices from the not-too-distant past is back and with it comes the poser which will constantly dog policymakers and analysts.
What do they do when oil prices rise too high? Already the number bandied around is an alarming US$220 to US$250 (RM665 to RM758) per barrel.
Brent crude oil price - a benchmark for petroleum prices - is trading about US$116 (RM356) a barrel now.
Rising oil prices will stoke inflation fears, especially for food, and more importantly, on how they will hurt economic growth.
What do they do when oil prices rise too high? Already the number bandied around is an alarming US$220 to US$250 (RM665 to RM758) per barrel.
Brent crude oil price - a benchmark for petroleum prices - is trading about US$116 (RM356) a barrel now.
Rising oil prices will stoke inflation fears, especially for food, and more importantly, on how they will hurt economic growth.
If 2010 showed economies were on the mend, 2011 promises normal growth levels as economic activities return, at least in the Asian region, on better domestic spending.
Elsewhere, economic recovery has been spreading in Europe, led by Germany.
Confidence has also picked up in all 27 member countries of the European Union, including those hit by the sovereign debt crisis.
Across the Atlantic, the US economy has clearly been on the mend with job payroll figures looking brighter. Holiday spending levels in November and December appear to be returning.
A confident American consumer is important for the Malaysian export market, which hinges largely on the performance of its electrical and electronics sector.
But it looks like any full recovery will have to wait as the ripple effects of discontent continue to meander through oil producing countries.
What does it take to reach the proportions of three years ago? According to some research estimates, the price would likely be in the region of US$120 to US$125 (RM364 to RM379) per barrel.
A rise to US$100 (RM303) per barrel of oil price could necessitate a 40 sen per litre hike, which could easily bring the average inflation in 2011 to 2.9-3.6 per cent for Malaysia, as food prices and transport costs also rise in tandem.
For Malaysia, it's a double-edged sword. For one, good times are here for the commodity players with expectations of palm oil prices to average RM3,652 this year, while rubber prices are also hitting records.
In the meantime, the average wage earner has to brace for tough times if petrol prices rise again. The price for unsubsidised RON97 petrol is now RM2.50 per litre, up by almost a fifth while the subsidised RON95 is up 6 per cent to RM1.90 per litre.
So far, the government has pledged to absorb the extra subsidy from higher oil prices.
But the subsidy bill, budgeted at RM10.3 billion this year, could jump to more than RM14 billion if prices continue to jump, said a cabinet minister recently.
With the risk of rising consumer prices, it will be interesting to see how Bank Negara Malaysia views the situation and how it is able to ensure that Malaysia is able to enjoy economic growth of between 5 and 6 per cent this year
Read more: Oily scenario continues to challenge policymakers http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup5002/Article/index_html#ixzz1G4PP64a7
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