Northgate, Malaysia
Northgate, the making of Malaysia’s next top border town.
Located at the international border crossing of Betong-Pengkalan Hulu, Northgate is the first mixed commercial and industrial development fully initiated by the private sector along the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand (IMT-GT) Growth Triangle. The development which will transform an abandoned rubber estate of 151 acres into an exciting trading, commercial, manufacturing and tourist attraction is being developed by Northgate Consortium which consists of Puri Utama Development Sdn Bhd, Puri Ventures Sdn Bhd, Puri Realty Sdn Bhd, Banjaran Maju Sdn Bhd, IOP Global DotCom Sdn Bhd and Monteron Development Sdn Bhd.
Location
Northgate is strategically situated at Pengkalan Hulu, within the Hulu Perak district, Perak, Malaysia, which is also Perak state’s only Malaysia-Thailand border town. It is uniquely sited adjoining to the Malaysian Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint and the main road crossing between Malaysia and Thailand that connects directly to the Thailand’s southernmost town of Betong and with the Thai immigration and custom checkpoint only approximately 200m away. Neighbouring towns to the development are Baling (18km) and Kelian Intan (18km) and Gerik (50km) at Malaysian side and Betong (7km), Thailand. Prominent cities within close range to Northgate includes Sungai Petani (80km), Penang Island (115km), Butterworth (100km) and Ipoh (190km).
Integrated Development Project
Northgate Development is also part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region, a new economic development corridor, a Government initiative to accelerate economic growth and elevate income levels in the north of Peninsular Malaysia - encompassing the states of Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and the north of Perak.
Besides, Northgate is also Perak State premier project under the Perak State Development Corridor. This North East Corridor which covers the area surrounding Gerik, Lenggong, Belum Forest Reserved and Pengkalan Hulu will focus its development on agriculture, eco-tourism and research.
Therefore, Northgate is an integrated development project covers five zones - industrial, commercial bazaar, hotels and resorts, commerce and trade and agriculture. An application had also been made to the Federal Government for NorthGate to enjoy passport-free and duty-free status to further spur the economic activities.
Having sited at the Malaysia-Thailand border, Northgate not only designed for Malaysian, it is also a project where all Thais can participate and will strengthen relationship among Thais and Malaysian. The development is targeted to be fully completed in 2011 and it will be an ideal place to visit when enters Malaysia.
Northgate Now
The work on the first of five key phases has already commenced since July 2008. The first phase, involving the development of a bazaar for retailers, restaurants and a duty free complex, known as NorthGate Arena is scheduled to be completed end of year 2009. The Arena, will soon comprise of diverse business establishments including restaurants, retail stores in addition to a duty free complex and a mid-size supermarket.
Its commercial phase which comprises shops and shop offices is scheduled to launch early year 2009. Upon its completion, this commerce and trade zone will see a pedestrian friendly walkways and beautifully streetscaped business hub with buzzing activities. It will also feature an array of goods and services from Malaysia and Thailand including food and beverages, handicraft, spa and health club facilities designed to cater to both local and foreign market.