| James Kon |
FROM January to April this year, the Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC) has seen a 25 per cent increase in container handling to 35,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) from 28,000 TEUs in the same period last year.
MPC started its operation in February 2017.
Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company formed by Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and Beibu Gulf (HK) Ltd of Guangxi, China is looking at a significant increase in growth of container handling by end of this year.
The container handling details were revealed by Zhou Yan, CEO of MPC, in an interview on the sidelines of the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) Brunei Exhibition 2017 which is scheduled to be held at the Bridex Hall, Jerudong, from today.
Currently, MPC has 106 employees, of which 88 per cent are locals.
“When we first established MPC, we set our priority of providing employment to locals. In the long run, we hope that capable local employees can take over senior and important positions within the company after undergoing proper training and mentoring.”
MPC is the first company from Guangxi that has successfully kick-started its business in the country in collaboration with Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd, following the establishment of Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor (BGEC).
Following its initial focus on upgrading the equipment, MPC hopes to improve the efficiency in port operation and enhance the level of port services in the short-term.
Zhou Yan, CEO of Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (7th from left) in a group photo with staff members. – JAMES KON
“The future plans for MPC are improving the capacity for handling container vessels, upgrading of shipping line service, reinforcing the connection between Brunei and neighbouring countries as well as exploring the port industry industrial park to attract investment to boost the economy of Brunei,” Zhou Yan said.
He also highlighted that there is also a plan to expand Muara Port in the future, however, it will depend on the growth in handling cargoes at the port.
Touching on MPC’s participation in the CAEXPO Brunei Exhibition 2017 along with with some 70 Chinese companies, he said, “Brunei and Guangxi have a very meaningful relationship. At this year’s CAEXPO, Brunei is the country of honour. Through the exhibition, we hope to share our achievements and experience with the Bruneian public as a Guangxi company which is willing to come and venture into Brunei.
“We hope that we can also serve as a bridge for Bruneian companies interested in exploring business opportunities in Guangxi so that there will be increasing bilateral ties between Brunei and China,” he added.
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