Kelantan eyes industrial hub, jobs and investment around ECRL station in Pasir Puteh

KOTA BHARU, Nov 4 — The development of an East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) station in Cherang Tuli, Pasir Puteh, is expected to unlock greater economic opportunities through the influx of investments, job creation, business expansion, and increased income for local residents. Kelantan Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the state government will ensure that the area surrounding the ECRL corridor in Pasir Puteh is planned to accommodate industrial activities directly linked to the rail transport facility. “Our focus is on processing industries, the food industry, agro-industries, warehousing, and value-added activities that can utilise the ECRL’s cargo facilities. “This approach is crucial so that raw materials from Pasir Puteh and its surrounding areas can be processed locally before being transported to broader markets,” he said. He was responding to a question from Nor Asilah Mohamed Zin (PAS-Limbongan) regarding the state government’s plans to ensure that Pasir Puteh derives economic benefits from the ECRL development, during the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly sitting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex here today. Elaborating further, Mohamed Fadzli noted that the state government has also identified the potential of developing a logistics hub, as well as a proposed dry port, in Bandar Baru Tok Bali. He added that the provision of supporting infrastructure including road networks, warehousing areas, collection and distribution centres, and last-mile logistics facilities must be prioritised to ensure that local industry players can effectively leverage the rail transport infrastructure. “We do not want economic opportunities to be enjoyed solely by large external corporations while the local community and local entrepreneurs must also benefit.” “Opportunities that can be created include services in transportation, packaging, storage, maintenance, catering, and general support, as well as the supply of goods and services to the industry,” he said. He added that the development of the industrial and logistics sector is also supported by efforts to upskill the youth in Pasir Puteh, enabling them to secure high-skilled jobs. He noted that the employment opportunities being created are not limited to low-skilled sectors; rather, they encompass fields such as logistics, warehouse management, maintenance, technical operations, rail operations, technology, and industrial management. — Bernama