Developed on 405 hec-tares, the free zone is adjacent to Westports in the state of Selangor and close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Salma Hareb, chief executive officer of Jafza, told Gulf News about 100 companies have shown interest in setting up their operations in Port Klang Free Zone.

"A few of our customers are immediately moving there. We have been talking to our customers in Jebel Ali Free Zone and I know there is a big interest among them. They just want to see things materialise," she said. The Port Klang Free Zone is scheduled for official opening late this month, and the offices and warehouses will be ready by the end of this year.

A seminar was organised in Dubai yesterday to explain Port Klang's attractions to investors, manufacturers and shipping lines in the UAE.

"The objective of our roadshow in Dubai is to attract investors from the UAE to do business in Malaysia and to enhance trade between Malaysia and the UAE," Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said.

Noel Gulliver, managing director of Port Klang Free Zone, said Jafza wants to replicate it Dubai success in Malaysia.

"Everybody knows if you want to move into the Middle East, Jebel Ali is the place to be in. That is what we really want Port Klang Free Zone to be. When someone wants to move into Southeast Asia, the first port of call will be Port Klang," he told Gulf News.

The officials said Malaysia was targeting companies involved in logistics, light manufacturing and halal food business to use the new industrial zone as a base for tapping the Southeast Asian market of 550 consumers. Roadshows to promote Port Klang Free Zone have been held in Hanover, London, Stockholm and Frankfurt.