Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.
MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE PALACE OF THE GOLDEN HORSES
HOTEL, MINES RESORT
CITY, SELANGOR
Tarikh/Date : 17/05/99
Tajuk/Title : THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
21ST WORLD PORTS CONFERENCE
(IAPH) AND TRADE EXHIBITION
I am honoured to be given the opportunity to
address such a distinguished gathering of experts from
ports and harbours around the world here to attend the
21st World Ports Conference of the International
Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH). I understand
that this is the second time that such a Conference by
IAPH is held in this part of the world over the last 30
years, the first being held in neighbouring Singapore in
1975. May I take this opportunity to thank the
International Association of Ports and Harbours for
giving us this rare privilege.
2. Malaysia and in particular Malaysian ports are
indeed proud to host this prestigious event. The theme
of the IAPH 21st World Ports Conference, 'Global Trade
through Port Cooperation' is appropriate and timely as
we approach the new millennium -- an era where new
challenges in the political and economic environment are
being unfolded in addition to intense business
competition and seamless interaction and networking in
trade and international relationships. It is
imperative that we initiate pro-active strategies and
close cooperation between the rich and the poor, the
developed and the developing to ensure our survival and
hopefully our prosperity. It is expected that
International trade will take on new dimensions where
trade transactions will be between trading blocs rather
than nations and in this respect, I must congratulate
the IAPH 2000 special Task Force in charting a visionary
Strategic Work Plan that will foster closer cooperation
among ports and harbours world-wide to meet the
challenges in the next millennium.
3. The port sector has always played a major role in
the development of a country's economy and this
contribution is expected to increase in the future. A
well-developed port infrastructure is a vital part of an
efficient trading system and network. The most
efficient and cheapest method of moving goods is still
by sea transport. In Asia, successful and prosperous
economies have actually been built simply by providing
first class port services. It is worthwhile noting that
a big national hinterland need not be the limiting
factor towards the growth and greatness of ports.
4. There was a time when ports were havens for ships
to call to load and unload goods and to replenish their
supplies of victuals and water. Today ships can circle
the globe without running short of fuel or supplies. If
they have to call at ports it is because they have to
drop or pick up goods. As such they can pick and choose
which ports they need to call at.
5. The attractiveness of ports is thus no longer due
to strategic locations. They are attractive because
they provide efficient and prompt services and their
land and sea transportation networks enable them to have
the goods delivered to their final destination and of
course to receive and store the goods coming from
different locations and be ready to load them on ships
which call in the shortest possible time.
6. Ports are now no longer solely for the handling of
ships and the freight they carry. Ports have become in
themselves great commercial centres where all kinds of
products are not only being received, unpacked, sorted
and repacked, but actual manufacturing for exports are
done. In the quest for greater trade and economic
expansion more innovative use of ports and the immediate
surrounding areas will no doubt be found and developed.
With the expansion of Information Technology more
transaction and activities will be centred around the
ports and the role of sea transportation and road and
rail connections. Obviously exciting years are ahead
for the ports of the world.
7. Malaysia has always been a trading nation. Prior
to the economic downturn Malaysia was the 17th biggest
trading nation in the world. Ninety percent of our
trade valued at about US$140 billion a year was handled
through seaports. Ports, the operation of ports, their
location, e.t.c. are therefore vital to the economic
growth of Malaysia. For this reason the Malaysian
Government has been developing Port Klang, our
principal port, and other ports located at strategic
locations, in order to handle our trade and to help us
become more competitive.
8. We have adopted numerous measures in order to
attract shipping to Port Klang especially, including
the relaxation of the cabotage policy, foreign equity
requirement in shipping agencies, providing one-stop
administrative facilities and various changes to the
total port operating environment. These measures I am
happy to say are yielding good results.
9. We are now moving into the 21st century and the
new millennium. Malaysia welcomes the next millennium
with excitement and confidence. The Information Age is
upon us and we have already seen and experienced
numerous changes in the way we do things. There is no
doubt there will be many innovations as Information
Technology (IT) is applied to the management and
operations of ports and shipping. We expect to keep
pace with these developments because we know that our
economic well-being depends on our ability to adjust to
and apply the new technologies.
10. In Malaysia we have launched a major project
called the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). In an area
measuring 15 kilometres by 50 kilometres, encompassing
the Twin Towers of the KL City Centre, the new
administrative capital Putrajaya and the KL
International Airport, all the latest in communication
and information infrastructure have been installed.
Additionally, new cyber laws and administrative
practices have been introduced in order to facilitate
the setting up of IT-based industries, operations and
researches. Already almost 300 companies, including 30
world-class companies have received MSC status and many
are already operating.
11. There is no doubt that the MSC will stimulate rapid
growth of the Malaysian economy. It may not generate
much by way of freight but indirectly it will result in
much greater trade and manufacturing in Malaysia.
12. Port Klang is just a stone's throw from the MSC and
it will certainly benefit from all the new technologies
and operations of the MSC. We expect IT practices and
innovations in the MSC to contribute to greater
efficiency of Port Klang.
13. Malaysia aspires to develop into a regional hub for
transportation and Port Klang will be promoted as a load
centre and transshipment hub. We aim to be the regional
hub on par with other international ports like Singapore
and Hong Kong.
14. I am aware that last year has been a relatively
difficult year for most countries in the region. The
economic downturn brought about by the regional currency
crisis and stock market collapse has arrested the rapid
growth of the Tiger economies. Growth in 1998 actually
contracted by six percent in Malaysia. But we have been
able to arrest the decline and we are back on the growth
path. We expect to grow by one percent this year and
five percent in 2000. Our recovery must mean better
times not only for our ports but also the users of these
ports.
15. Given the resilience of the Asia-Pacific region, I
am confident there are vast opportunities for growth in
the port sector. However, to capitalise on the
opportunities, we must also be able to deal with
challenges. In an increasingly competitive environment,
it is incumbent upon port operators to ensure that the
needs of users are met. The Government and the private
sector have been working very well together to develop
the port sector and I am certain if we continue to
assist each other, we can create more opportunities and
devise ways for stronger cooperation. Let us therefore,
continue to build upon our partnership for greater
benefit and prosperity of the sector and for national
development.
16. It is said that the trade in currencies is more
than 20 times bigger than world trade. World trade in
goods and services have created much wealth which is
shared by everyone, from the unskilled worker, to the
supplier of goods and services, to the manufacturers,
the transporters, the port operators, the shippers and
everyone. If world trade in goods and services is as
big as the trade in currencies, i.e. 20 times bigger
than it is now, the whole world would be prosperous.
But the trade in currencies, 20 times bigger though it
may be, benefits only a few thousand already rich
people. In fact it has destroyed the wealth of many
nations. It has destroyed much of the world's trade in
goods and services. World trade can do without currency
trading but without world trade there can be no currency
trading. Even as you discuss ports and their
operations, it is worthwhile to remember this.
17. During the course of the next few days, I note that
you will be addressing and deliberating these issues
which I believe are crucial to the continued survival of
ports and harbours in the next millennium. The
Malaysian Government looks forward with keen interest to
these deliberations to ensure policies implemented in
Malaysian ports are in tandem with the common
aspirations of the International Association of Ports
and Harbours in meeting the challenges of the next
millennium.
18. On this note, I take pleasure in wishing you all a
successful conference and declare the Trade Exhibition
open.
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