TNT has appointed a dedicated general manager for Malaysia’s northern region, in line with the company’s long-term growth strategy for the region. The appointment is TNT’s first dedicated senior appointment focused on managing and harnessing the growth potential in north Malaysia.

Last year, TNT embarked on an aggressive growth strategy, investing more than RM15 million in new facilities and services, including RM 8 million in its Global Express Centre in Penang.

“Malaysia’s economy is growing rapidly, but we see significant opportunities in North Malaysia,” said TNT’s managing director of Malaysia & Brunei, Gerry Power. “Penang, for one, has recorded the highest investment growth since 1980 in manufacturing and services sectors last year, up 15.8% from RM 4.62 billion in 2005 to reach RM 5.35 billion last year.”

Malaysia’s Northern Economic Corridor – Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak – houses a major concentration of electrical and electronic manufacturing companies. That sector alone is one of Malaysia’s largest export earners, generating RM22 billion or 46.8 percent of the country’s total export revenue in January 2007.

Christopher Bain, who will be based in TNT’s Penang office, will be responsible for the research and development of strategic business growth opportunities in North Malaysia.

Bain has more than 24 years of corporate and business development experience from MNCs across Malaysia, the Philippines and the US. His last position was country manager for the Philippines & US with Malaysian-based Transmile Group Berhad.