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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 (0.61 km2) 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.
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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 (18 km) and Kelian Intan (18 km) and Gerik (50 km) at Malaysian side and Betong (7 km), Thailand. Prominent cities within close range to Northgate includes Sungai Petani (80 km), Penang Island (115 km), Butterworth (100 km) and Ipoh (190 km). Betong, which is synonym with its natural charms, friendly faces and excellent Thai cuisines has always been a choice of travelling for many tourists among local Malaysian and Thai southerners.
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 covering five zones of industry - industrial, commercial and 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 which will strengthen relationship among Thais and Malaysian. The development is targeted to be fully completed in 2015 and it will be an ideal place to visit whenever visitors enter or exit Malaysia. and it will be an ideal place to visit when enters Malaysia.
Concepts
Geared with the local natural beauty and spices from Thai, Northgate will no doubt enjoy best of both worlds as a tourist centric development meant for short breakaways for affordable entertainment, leisure and shopping destination for surrounding cities such as Penang, Sungai Petani, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Ipoh or even Kuala Lumpur and Singaporean. The location is indeed much closer as compare to other Malaysia-Thailand border towns such as Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Besar. Its unique position will also tap into the huge market of the southern Thai who uses this exit as their primary gateway to Malaysia.
This city will be planned with a concept of daytime trading, manufacturing and retail business and night time entertainment and leisure. Planned as a duty free and passport free area, this development will no doubt be an addition to the tourist spot within Hulu Perak district. An international bus terminal is also planned for Northgate to allow express buses from Malaysia and Thailand to transit its passengers to both sides of the countries.
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 early of year 2011. The Arena, will soon comprise diverse business establishments including restaurants, 18 lanes bowling centre, retail stores in addition to a duty free complex and a mid-size supermarket.
Its commercial phase which comprises shops and shop offices was officially launched by Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Dr. Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir, Menteri Besar Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia on 7 October 2010. 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.
We persevere to turn Northgate Pengkalan Hulu into Malaysia's top border town and becoming a catalyst for exciting development at all Malaysian-Thai border towns.