Kedah-Perlis MCCC promotes sister cities, plans Sungai Petani Square redevelopment for investment
(Alor Setar, 26th) — The Kedah-Perlis branch of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is actively promoting the establishment of a “sister city” relationship between Sungai Petani and Linyi City in China. It also plans to transform the long-vacant SP Plaza into a Linyi investment and e-commerce center to attract Chinese enterprises and products, opening up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Branch chairman Lim Cheng Keat pointed out that in April this year, a Linyi business delegation visited Sungai Petani and proposed the intention of forming a sister-city relationship. Subsequently, the branch submitted a proposal to the Sungai Petani Municipal Council to use SP Plaza as an investment platform to attract Linyi merchants to set up there.
“Linyi has rich experience in e-commerce and small commodities. If they can establish a presence in Sungai Petani, it will create many job opportunities and also introduce Chinese small commodities to Malaysia,” Lim said at a press conference after welcoming a delegation from Linyi Port to meet with branch members in Alor Setar today.
During the networking session, Lim Cheng Keat, on behalf of the branch, signed a cooperation agreement with Zhou Zhezhe, a representative of the Linyi Trade and Economic Delegation.
He said Linyi is currently actively seeking overseas warehouses in Malaysia, and due to its geographic and logistics advantages, Kedah is an ideal cooperation hub. The branch will arrange for Sungai Petani city council officials to visit Linyi to further explore the feasibility of the SP Plaza project.
Additionally, he revealed that in September, the mayor of Linyi will lead a delegation to visit Kuala Lumpur, arranged through the branch, to further expand cooperative relations.
He noted that in recent years, under China’s “Going Global” policy, Linyi has been actively expanding into overseas markets. While it may still be a relatively unknown city to Malaysians, Linyi is China’s largest inland logistics hub, with freight reaching as far as Beijing and Russia, and it is gradually developing maritime trade through ports like Qingdao and Guangzhou.
He emphasized that cooperation between Linyi and Malaysian businesses is not limited to the import of Chinese goods—Linyi enterprises are also interested in setting up factories in Malaysia. “In the past, they mostly surveyed Johor or Kuala Lumpur, but due to high land and operational costs, they are now shifting focus toward Penang and Kedah.”
He believes this will bring more foreign investment and supply chain development opportunities to the region, and thus encourages Kedah and Perlis entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity.
Among those present were MCCC Kedah-Perlis honorary president Tan Ah Kiang, deputy president Tan Weng Fatt, deputy secretary Lim Chean Lee, vice president Wong Regent, business deputy director Leo Tay Kon Chow, and Linyi Port representative Wang Yushi, among others.
Lim Tze Kit also revealed that the MCCC will organize a delegation to visit Linyi on October 10 to participate in the 3rd Linyi Mall International Buyers Conference and the 2025 Linyi Mall Foreign Trade Premium Expo. During the expo, the Linyi government will set up a special Malaysian Halal Food Zone to encourage local businesses to promote their products, especially halal goods in high demand in the Middle Eastern market. Malaysian businesses interested in establishing a long-term presence in Linyi Mall will also enjoy one year of rent-free operation, with only utility costs to bear.
Lim also stated that the branch committee met with Kedah Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Muhammad Sanusi last month to discuss Malaysia-China cooperation and received a positive response.
He revealed that the Chief Minister expressed support for relevant industries, especially food and beverage businesses involving alcohol, provided they are properly located away from Muslim-majority areas. The state government will not only refrain from obstructing such projects but will also offer support.
He hopes that entertainment business owners in Alor Setar will actively collaborate with the F&B industry to jointly create a more attractive environment for investment and consumer activity.