Keppel T&T, Jilin City Government kicks off Logistics Park project

It will be the only one serving Food Zone.

According to a release, Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation Ltd (Keppel T&T) and the Jilin City Government have commenced work for their joint venture project, Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone International Logistics Park, in Jilin City, Jilin Province, China.

Officiating at the commencement ceremony on site were Mr Sun Zhengcai, Party Secretary of Jilin Province; His Excellency Mr Stanley Loh Ka Leung, Singapore's Ambassador to China; Mr Wang Rulin, Governor of Jilin Province; Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation, and Mr Teo Soon Hoe, Senior Executive Director of Keppel Corporation and Chairman of Keppel T&T.

Mr Pang Hee Hon, CEO of Keppel T&T, said, "Keppel T&T's expertise in third party logistics and 18 years of experience in operating a successful port in Foshan, Guangdong, will position us well to provide integrated logistics services in the Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone International Logistics Park, which marks our maiden step into northeastern China. The commencement of work on the project, soon after the signing of the joint venture agreement, reflects the strong commitment of the Jilin provincial and city governments to see to the success of the Logistics Park and the Food Zone."

Mr Sun Zhu Gang, Deputy Chairman of Jilin Sino-Singapore Food Zone Development Co., Ltd1, added, "The Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone has the support of the Singapore and Chinese governments and is one of Jilin Province's key projects. We hope to synergise Singapore's experience in food safety management, business park development and technical know-how with Jilin City's rich agricultural resources to establish a world class food zone aligned with international practices. It will be home to the production of agricultural foodstuff that is grown and processed under stringent health and quality standards. We are happy to see that our partnership with Keppel T&T, an established logistics service provider in Singapore, is making good speed as the availability of reliable and quality logistics services is critical to the Food Zone's development."

The first phase of the Logistics Park, spanning approximately 40 hectares, is designed to have about 240,000 square metres of facilities which would include warehouse space fitted with cold room facilities, a modern cross-docking hub and a centralised transportation hub. Expected to be operational in 2014, the Logistics Park will also lease out space for offices and more than 1,000 units of wholesale shops.

The Logistics Park is located at the northern boundary of the Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone and will occupy about 114 hectares when fully developed. It will be accessible via major expressways and future plans to link a railway line to the Logistics Park will further enhance its accessibility for distribution of goods.

The joint venture company, Jilin Sino-Singapore Food Zone International Logistics Co. Ltd., is 70% held by Keppel T&T through its wholly-owned subsidiary and 30% held by Jilin Sino-Singapore Food Zone Development Co., Ltd. It will be the sole food logistics park operator serving the Food Zone.