Malaysian International Tuna Port Sdn Bhd (MITP) a 40:60 government-private sector joint venture company plans to invest RM240 million in the Batu Maung Port in Penang, aim at making it into a world-class tuna landing port.
The Malaysian Government's participation is through Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia while Bindforce Sdn Bhd takes up the private stake.
The investment is for the construction of new processing centres as well as upgrading of the infrastructure including deepening the water level to 7 metres and lengthening the wharf to 4.3km; building water brakes, MITP Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Annuar Zaini Binyamin said. The tuna processing centres are expected to create up to 10,000 jobs.
"Once ready by 2009, the 105ha port, which is capable of accommodating 100 ships at a time from the current 30, will be able to attract 2,000 international tuna fishing boats from as small as 150 tonnes to as large as 3,000 tonnes," he said , adding that the investment in the port would also help to develop Malaysia's fishery industry.
Datuk Annuar sees great potential in Malaysia's tuna industry, which is fully export-oriented, given the growing awareness of its health benefits. The recent bird flu scare has also added to the increase in demand.
He expects the value of the tuna industry in the country to triple the current RM50 million in 2009, upon completion of the port, with the initial exports in the chilled form and subsequently to include canned tuna.
