 Meanwhile, the tin mining boom in the Malay Peninsula and southern Siam led to the growth of the Port of Penang as a major tin-exporting harbour, directly challenging the Port of Singapore.Tin from the Kinta Valley and Siam were transported to George Town for smelting, before being exported via the Port of Penang to European and American industries.For several years in the late 19th century, tin exports from the Port of Penang, as well as tin imports into George Town, exceeded those of Singapore.