Latest news with #PARN
Barnama
15-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Extend ECRL To Sungai Golok To Boost Malaysia-Thailand Trade
15/05/2025 09:13 AM By Abdul Hamid A Rahman and Mikhail Raj Abdullah KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Thailand's ambassador to Malaysia, Lada Phumas, has suggested that Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which starts in Kota Bharu, be extended to the Sungai Golok border to enhance rail connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. She said the connection at the border is crucial for improving trade and logistics between the two neighbours. 'We have a rail station in Sungai Golok for which we must now explore ways to revitalise and utilise so that ECRL can be extended and connected to the rail network on Thailand's side. From there, it could be connected to Hatyai - the neighbouring border town of Padang Besar on Malaysia's side, which could facilitate better logistical integration and enhance regional rail connectivity,' she told Bernama in an interview today. The ambassador said that interconnecting rail systems across the region, linking Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and China, with the potential for further extensions, will strengthen regional ties. She said the Pan-Asia Railway Network (PARN) project is a key infrastructure initiative, connecting China, Singapore and all countries in mainland Southeast Asia. Malaysia is actively developing its segment of the network, which aims to establish a continuous double-track railway from Johor Bahru to Padang Besar in Perlis. Phumas said that such interconnection would promote trade, enhance mobility and deliver substantial economic benefits for both countries. 'Improved rail connectivity would provide a more affordable and efficient alternative for freight transport, compared to air and road options,' she said. In addition to rail connectivity, Phumas said there are opportunities for collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand in the halal industry and related supply chains. 'Thailand can supply ingredients and raw materials that Malaysia may be lacking, while Malaysia can leverage its expertise in halal certification to strengthen and expand the halal supply chain. This collaboration could prove mutually beneficial for both countries and open up significant opportunities in markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,' she added.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Extend ECRL to Sungai Golok to boost Malaysia-Thailand teade: Thai envoy
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's ambassador to Malaysia, Lada Phumas, has suggested that Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which starts in Kota Bharu, be extended to the Sungai Golok border to enhance rail connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. She said the connection at the border is crucial for improving trade and logistics between the two neighbours. "We have a rail station in Sungai Golok for which we must now explore ways to revitalise and utilise so that ECRL can be extended and connected to the rail network on Thailand's side. From there, it could be connected to Hatyai - the neighbouring border town of Padang Besar on Malaysia's side, which could facilitate better logistical integration and enhance regional rail connectivity," she told Bernama in an interview today. The ambassador said that interconnecting rail systems across the region, linking Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and China, with the potential for further extensions, will strengthen regional ties. She said the Pan-Asia Railway Network (PARN) project is a key infrastructure initiative, connecting China, Singapore and all countries in mainland Southeast Asia. Malaysia is actively developing its segment of the network, which aims to establish a continuous double-track railway from Johor Bahru to Padang Besar in Perlis. Phumas said that such interconnection would promote trade, enhance mobility and deliver substantial economic benefits for both countries. "Improved rail connectivity would provide a more affordable and efficient alternative for freight transport, compared to air and road options," she said. In addition to rail connectivity, Phumas said there are opportunities for collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand in the halal industry and related supply chains. "Thailand can supply ingredients and raw materials that Malaysia may be lacking, while Malaysia can leverage its expertise in halal certification to strengthen and expand the halal supply chain. This collaboration could prove mutually beneficial for both countries and open up significant opportunities in markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries," she added. She reiterated that this is why the upcoming summit between Asean, the GCC and China is crucial, as the GCC and China offer a potentially large market for halal products. "By aligning the production schedules of both nations, especially in food products, the supply chain could be optimised. This collaboration would not only benefit Malaysia and Thailand but also support the broader region by providing high-quality halal products and addressing food security concerns," she added.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Thai envoy proposes ECRL extension to Sungai Golok to enhance rail connectivity
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's ambassador to Malaysia, Lada Phumas, has suggested that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which starts in Kota Baru, be extended to the Sungai Golok border to enhance rail connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. She said the connection at the border is crucial for improving trade and logistics between the two neighbours. "We have a rail station in Sungai Golok for which we must now explore ways to revitalise and utilise so that ECRL can be extended and connected to the rail network on Thailand's side. "From there, it could be connected to Hatyai - the neighbouring border town of Padang Besar on Malaysia's side, which could facilitate better logistical integration and enhance regional rail connectivity," she said. The ambassador said that interconnecting rail systems across the region, linking Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and China, with the potential for further extensions, will strengthen regional ties. She said the Pan-Asia Railway Network (PARN) project is a key infrastructure initiative, connecting China, Singapore and all countries in mainland Southeast Asia. Malaysia is actively developing its segment of the network, which aims to establish a continuous double-track railway from Johor Baru to Padang Besar in Perlis. Phumas said that such interconnection would promote trade, enhance mobility and deliver substantial economic benefits for both countries. "Improved rail connectivity would provide a more affordable and efficient alternative for freight transport, compared to air and road options," she said. In addition to rail connectivity, Phumas said there are opportunities for collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand in the halal industry and related supply chains. "Thailand can supply ingredients and raw materials that Malaysia may be lacking, while Malaysia can leverage its expertise in halal certification to strengthen and expand the halal supply chain. "This collaboration could prove mutually beneficial for both countries and open up significant opportunities in markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries," she added. She reiterated that this is why the upcoming summit between Asean, the GCC and China is crucial, as the GCC and China offer a potentially large market for halal products. "By aligning the production schedules of both nations, especially in food products, the supply chain could be optimised. This collaboration would not only benefit Malaysia and Thailand but also support the broader region by providing high-quality halal products and addressing food security concerns," she added. – BERNAMA
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Loke to meet Thai counterpart over landmark Pan-Asian Rail link
KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke is scheduled to meet his Thai counterpart on May 2 to discuss the realisation of the Pan-Asian Railway Network (PARN) and to strengthen bilateral ties in the transport sector. The meeting in Thailand follows recent discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in Bangkok, aimed at enhancing cross-border cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand. "Among the projects under discussion are the construction of the second Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge, road connections between the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex and the CIQ Sadao, as well as a road link from CIQ Perlis to Thailand," he said at the Transport Ministry's 2025 Raikan Kasih Madani event today. Previously, it was reported Malaysia was preparing for the PARN, a proposed rail network that aims to boost the halal trade industry between Malaysia and China. During his recent state visit to Malaysia, Chinese President Xi Jinping also expressed strong support for the PARN initiative, highlighting its potential to open markets in western China, particularly in the Inner Mongolia region. Loke said that the government was committed to global railway development, recognising the significant opportunities it presented for the country and its role in enhancing regional cooperation. The upcoming meeting, he said, would focus on strengthening rail sector collaboration between both nations, which has thus far been limited to domestic use. "While there has already been cooperation between Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), it is essential to elevate this to a government-to-government level to enable strategic railway development," he added. Loke said that such efforts were crucial for reinforcing regional ties and securing supply chain resilience amid global uncertainties. "By connecting rail networks between Malaysia and Thailand, we can open up routes across Asean and into China, which would bring tremendous benefits to the region," he said.
