27-06-2008: Corridors get RM10b out of additional RM30b in 9MP
by Yong Yen Nie, The Edge Daily
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA LUMPUR: The biggest portion of the additional RM30 billion allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) will go towards infrastructure projects in the regional corridors, especially the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director-general Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob said one-third of the additional development expenditure would be used to build infrastructure and improve the health and education levels of rural communities, especially in the ECER and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
He said that the ECER would require more investments due to its lack of infrastructure while the southern corridor (Iskandar Malaysia) would be driven mainly by private-sector investments.
At a media briefing on the 9MP mid-term review on Wednesday, he said: “This extra allocation is part of the government’s efforts to reprioritise development projects towards people-centred ones.”
He said the extra allocation would come from savings obtained from the government’s fuel subsidy revamp as well as the revenue collected.
“The government had also apportioned the remaining RM20 billion into various initiatives, including RM3 billion for food security in the wake of rising food prices, RM1.6 billion to improve the country’s public transportation system and RM1 billion each for the development of Sabah and Sarawak,” Sulaiman said.
A sum of RM2 billion would go towards improving rural infrastructure, of which the electrified double-tracking rail projects form a part.
The federal government also planned to spend RM1 billion on low- and medium-cost housing projects, another RM1 billion to boost high-impact projects under the Education Development Master Plan and RM3.1 billion to improve the government’s administrative system via electronic processes, apart from investing RM3 billion in a strategic investment fund.
Sulaiman said out of the RM200 billion allocated originally under the 9MP, the government had so far completed RM29.6 billion worth of projects, while RM161.2 billion worth of other development projects were still in progress and RM9.6 billion worth of projects had not commenced.
He added that the federal government had not provided allocations for the Penang Monorail and the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) that were estimated to cost a total of RM3.5 billion.
Other projects for which no allocation has been made are the RM250-million Mont’ Kiara public park, various memorials under the Ministry of Arts and Culture that would cost about RM38 million, and federal administration centres costing RM290 million.
However, Sulaiman said the Pahang-Selangor Inter-State Raw Water Transfer Project, which would pipe water into Selangor to address its water shortage, was still ongoing.
“We have not scaled back any project in the regional economic corridors. We are merely allocating for projects that we think are ready to be implemented,” he said.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
People-centric jobs going well - 25 June 2008
Wednesday June 25, 2008
People-centric jobs going well
By JOSEPH CHIN, STAR Online
PETALING JAYA: The five-year Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) has made progress in people-centred projects, especially in poverty eradication, narrowing the urban-rural gap and also enhancing healthcare and education.
The remaining half of the 9MP will see the Government stepping up efforts to improve the rakyat's quality of life via projects that bring benefits, including affordable housing, a better public transport system and food production.
The public transport system will be made more efficient with emphasis on railway
It is learnt the Government could introduce a social safety net for the people, particularly the poor, to mitigate the impact of the surge in fuel and commodity prices.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to present the mid-term review of the 9MP (2006-2010) in Parliament tomorrow morning.
In the report, he would highlight the progress of the 9MP objectives so far while also fine-tuning and tweaking the strategies for the balance period with emphasis on people-centred projects instead of infrastructure projects.
When contacted, Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general Noriyah Ahmad told StarBiz that the areas of priority in the second half of the 9MP would be on food production, public transportation and poverty eradication.
She said food production would be given very high priority, which would see the opening of new areas for cultivation of food crops, irrigation and increasing the yield.
On transport, she said, the focus would be to make the public transport system more efficient, with emphasis on railway as it was six times more efficient in transporting goods than roads.
On poverty eradication, she said, the projects were on track to reduce it to 2.8% by 2010. The overall poverty rate had been reduced from 5.7% in 2004 to 3.6% in 2007, while hardcore poverty had been cut from 1.2% to 0.7% during the same period.
Emphasis would also be given to improving the rural infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak as the Government stepped up measures to develop the states and eradicate poverty, she added.
CIMB’s head of economics research Lee Heng Guie said the mid-term review was taking place in very trying circumstances.
“The economy has not only to cope with global slowdown, unsettled subprime mortgage crisis, but also confront domestic inflated risks arising from the recent hike in fuel, electricity tariffs and growing consumer price pressure,” he said.
Lee said that when the 9MP was tabled in 2006, the global environment was still strong but, at the end of last year and early this year, the global environment had changed a lot. “In the next two years, I expect the Government’s strategy would have to deal with new uncertainties, inflation, and how to sustain the pace of economic growth,” he said.
The economy grew at an average 6.1% in 2006-2007, which was above the target of 6% under the 9MP. Inflation averaged 2.8% in 2006-2007 and is expected to rise in the second half of the 9MP.
Under the original plan for the 9MP, a total RM200bil was allocated for development expenditure and in 2006-2007, the Government had spent close to RM76.3bil or 38.2%, Lee said.
Based on the recent news flow from policymakers, there might be a review of the 9MP projects given the higher costs, he said.
“However, people-centric projects would be accorded priority and the review would take that into account,” he said.
People-centric jobs going well
By JOSEPH CHIN, STAR Online
PETALING JAYA: The five-year Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) has made progress in people-centred projects, especially in poverty eradication, narrowing the urban-rural gap and also enhancing healthcare and education.
The remaining half of the 9MP will see the Government stepping up efforts to improve the rakyat's quality of life via projects that bring benefits, including affordable housing, a better public transport system and food production.
The public transport system will be made more efficient with emphasis on railway
It is learnt the Government could introduce a social safety net for the people, particularly the poor, to mitigate the impact of the surge in fuel and commodity prices.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to present the mid-term review of the 9MP (2006-2010) in Parliament tomorrow morning.
In the report, he would highlight the progress of the 9MP objectives so far while also fine-tuning and tweaking the strategies for the balance period with emphasis on people-centred projects instead of infrastructure projects.
When contacted, Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general Noriyah Ahmad told StarBiz that the areas of priority in the second half of the 9MP would be on food production, public transportation and poverty eradication.
She said food production would be given very high priority, which would see the opening of new areas for cultivation of food crops, irrigation and increasing the yield.
On transport, she said, the focus would be to make the public transport system more efficient, with emphasis on railway as it was six times more efficient in transporting goods than roads.
On poverty eradication, she said, the projects were on track to reduce it to 2.8% by 2010. The overall poverty rate had been reduced from 5.7% in 2004 to 3.6% in 2007, while hardcore poverty had been cut from 1.2% to 0.7% during the same period.
Emphasis would also be given to improving the rural infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak as the Government stepped up measures to develop the states and eradicate poverty, she added.
CIMB’s head of economics research Lee Heng Guie said the mid-term review was taking place in very trying circumstances.
“The economy has not only to cope with global slowdown, unsettled subprime mortgage crisis, but also confront domestic inflated risks arising from the recent hike in fuel, electricity tariffs and growing consumer price pressure,” he said.
Lee said that when the 9MP was tabled in 2006, the global environment was still strong but, at the end of last year and early this year, the global environment had changed a lot. “In the next two years, I expect the Government’s strategy would have to deal with new uncertainties, inflation, and how to sustain the pace of economic growth,” he said.
The economy grew at an average 6.1% in 2006-2007, which was above the target of 6% under the 9MP. Inflation averaged 2.8% in 2006-2007 and is expected to rise in the second half of the 9MP.
Under the original plan for the 9MP, a total RM200bil was allocated for development expenditure and in 2006-2007, the Government had spent close to RM76.3bil or 38.2%, Lee said.
Based on the recent news flow from policymakers, there might be a review of the 9MP projects given the higher costs, he said.
“However, people-centric projects would be accorded priority and the review would take that into account,” he said.
Sweet Potato Plantation to boost ECER's food production
Sweet Potato Plantation to boost ECER's food production
A 200-hectare sweet potato plantation in Terengganu and Kelantan will enhance the East Coast Economic Region (ECER)'s food production plans, paving the way for food self-sufficiency. Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang (LPP) has already planted 122 hectares of Vitato sweet potato with with an investments of RM1.23 million, the ECER secretariat said today.
The ECER's target is to plant 1,000 hectares of the crop, in line with its master plan to have more short-term crops within the Bachok-Besut-Setiu-Kuala Berang Agro Valley. The Agro Valley which has high incidences of poverty has been identified for short-term crops such as sweet potato, the secretariat said. "LPP's sweet potato plantation stretches over 50 hectares in Kampung Setiu and another 40 hectares in Kampung Gong Machang, Besut, in Terengganu since January 2008," it said in a statement.
In Kelantan, it has two 16-hectare sweet potato farms in Kandis and Bachok. The four farms are managed by the Area Farmers' Organisations (Persatuan Peladang Kawasan), involving a total of 99 farmers. In its first phase of 200 hectares, LPP is targeting a harvest of 2,400 to 4,000 metric tonnes of sweet potato within the next three to four months. According to LPP Terengganu, more than 120 metric tonnes of Vitato sweet potato have already been harvested and the output is expected to double when the Kampung Gong Machang, Besut farm is ready for harvest in August.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, in a recent visit, said the ministry will intensify and expand cultivation of the Vitato sweet potato to make it a major food item besides rice for Malaysians. He said research conducted by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) showed that the crop also had big potential to replace tobacco.
LPP has appointed the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Terengganu and National Farmers Association to promote and market Vitato nationwide. Rohizad Ridzwan, FAMA's director of fresh produce division, said Vitato is available at 12 selected farmers' markets in the Klang Valley and two each in Johor and Penang since June 15.
Introduced by MARDI in June 2007, Vitato or "ipomoea batatas" was the result of a five-year research carried out by Dr Tan Swee Lian and Zaharah Arrifin, both research officers from its Rice and Industrial Crop Research Centre.
Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Publication date: 6/24/2008
A 200-hectare sweet potato plantation in Terengganu and Kelantan will enhance the East Coast Economic Region (ECER)'s food production plans, paving the way for food self-sufficiency. Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang (LPP) has already planted 122 hectares of Vitato sweet potato with with an investments of RM1.23 million, the ECER secretariat said today.
The ECER's target is to plant 1,000 hectares of the crop, in line with its master plan to have more short-term crops within the Bachok-Besut-Setiu-Kuala Berang Agro Valley. The Agro Valley which has high incidences of poverty has been identified for short-term crops such as sweet potato, the secretariat said. "LPP's sweet potato plantation stretches over 50 hectares in Kampung Setiu and another 40 hectares in Kampung Gong Machang, Besut, in Terengganu since January 2008," it said in a statement.
In Kelantan, it has two 16-hectare sweet potato farms in Kandis and Bachok. The four farms are managed by the Area Farmers' Organisations (Persatuan Peladang Kawasan), involving a total of 99 farmers. In its first phase of 200 hectares, LPP is targeting a harvest of 2,400 to 4,000 metric tonnes of sweet potato within the next three to four months. According to LPP Terengganu, more than 120 metric tonnes of Vitato sweet potato have already been harvested and the output is expected to double when the Kampung Gong Machang, Besut farm is ready for harvest in August.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, in a recent visit, said the ministry will intensify and expand cultivation of the Vitato sweet potato to make it a major food item besides rice for Malaysians. He said research conducted by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) showed that the crop also had big potential to replace tobacco.
LPP has appointed the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Terengganu and National Farmers Association to promote and market Vitato nationwide. Rohizad Ridzwan, FAMA's director of fresh produce division, said Vitato is available at 12 selected farmers' markets in the Klang Valley and two each in Johor and Penang since June 15.
Introduced by MARDI in June 2007, Vitato or "ipomoea batatas" was the result of a five-year research carried out by Dr Tan Swee Lian and Zaharah Arrifin, both research officers from its Rice and Industrial Crop Research Centre.
Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Publication date: 6/24/2008
Malaysia Not Borrowing Money From IMF - Says PM 14 Jun 2008
KUALA TERENGGANU: Malaysia has sought no loan, grant or any other kind of monetary help from the International Monetary Fund or World Bank to fund the projects in the country’s development corridors.
Nor will the Government do so in the future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Larger than life: Abdullah delivering his speech during the launch of ECER Development Council and ECER Incentive Packages at University Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
“The allegations made by certain quarters are lies. It is an attempt to derail what the Government is doing and I am also aware that some had misinterpreted the corridor concept for their own political mileage,” he said at the launch of the East Coast Economic Region (Ecer) Development Council and Ecer Incentive Packages at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said witnessed the launch.
“This kind of people (rumour mongers) exist. They are spreading the word that the Government is cutting fuel subsidies and has no funds and therefore was resorting to borrowing to fund various mega projects.
“They are doing so with malicious intent, hoping that the Government would fall out of favour with the people. The naysayers give incorrect views, make assumptions and allegations,” he said.
However, Abdullah said he was not worried because he was sure the people were mature enough to assess the truth.
Abdullah said all programmes initiated in the corridors were small- and medium-scale people-centred programmes like education and agriculture programmes.
“Moreover, large-scale infrastructure programmes are being reviewed by the Economic Planning Unit to ensure only people-centric projects are implemented to uplift the socio-economic level of the rural folks on par with those in Klang Valley,” he said.
Abdullah also announced the Ecer had attracted RM18bil in investments to date.
He also announced the appointment of Datuk Jebasingam Issace John as Executive Officer of Ecer Development.
Abdullah will chair the council that will include the deputy Prime Minister and the mentris besar of Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor.
Abdullah also unveiled a package of incentives to promote development and attract more investments in the Ecer.
Among them was a 10-year tax exemption, effective immediately, for companies in the tourism, education, petrochemical manufacturing and agriculture industries.
Source: The Star
Nor will the Government do so in the future, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Larger than life: Abdullah delivering his speech during the launch of ECER Development Council and ECER Incentive Packages at University Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
“The allegations made by certain quarters are lies. It is an attempt to derail what the Government is doing and I am also aware that some had misinterpreted the corridor concept for their own political mileage,” he said at the launch of the East Coast Economic Region (Ecer) Development Council and Ecer Incentive Packages at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said witnessed the launch.
“This kind of people (rumour mongers) exist. They are spreading the word that the Government is cutting fuel subsidies and has no funds and therefore was resorting to borrowing to fund various mega projects.
“They are doing so with malicious intent, hoping that the Government would fall out of favour with the people. The naysayers give incorrect views, make assumptions and allegations,” he said.
However, Abdullah said he was not worried because he was sure the people were mature enough to assess the truth.
Abdullah said all programmes initiated in the corridors were small- and medium-scale people-centred programmes like education and agriculture programmes.
“Moreover, large-scale infrastructure programmes are being reviewed by the Economic Planning Unit to ensure only people-centric projects are implemented to uplift the socio-economic level of the rural folks on par with those in Klang Valley,” he said.
Abdullah also announced the Ecer had attracted RM18bil in investments to date.
He also announced the appointment of Datuk Jebasingam Issace John as Executive Officer of Ecer Development.
Abdullah will chair the council that will include the deputy Prime Minister and the mentris besar of Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor.
Abdullah also unveiled a package of incentives to promote development and attract more investments in the Ecer.
Among them was a 10-year tax exemption, effective immediately, for companies in the tourism, education, petrochemical manufacturing and agriculture industries.
Source: The Star
SASB in talks to conduct R&D on kenaf polymer, mulls production facility (24-6-2008)
Malaysia's Symphony Advance Sdn Bhd (SASB) has begun discussions with Sirim and Mardi to conduct research and development on kenaf polymer. Subject to the results of the R&D, SABS plans to establish a production facility in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), possibly in Terengganu. Operations are expected to start as soon as the supply of kenaf is stabilized. Kenaf is a fast growing plant that can be processed into natural fibre composites used for car interiors, building boards and even athletic wheelchairs.
SASB currently exports kenaf powder to Japan and Korea. Its operations started in February by milling kenaf at the National Tobacco Board's facility. It recently started a 0.5 ha Collection, Processing and Marketing Centre (CPMC) in Beris Lalang at a cost of RM1 million. SABS plans to export kenaf composite material to its business partners in industrialised countries. Global demand is forecast to grow exponentially, especially in composite materials, because kenaf is an environmentally friendly industrial plant and organic material recognised by the Kyoto Protocol to mitigate global warming. When kenaf is used in composite materials, companies can enjoy special tax incentives when it is exported to the European Union and the USA.
North American demand for both wood and agricultural fibre used as plastic additives, is forecast to be in the range of 15-20% pa in automotive applications, to 50% pa in selected building products. The market for these composites is projected to nearly triple in size during the next decade, and will increase demand for the nearly US$100 mln (RM321 mln) additives segment of this market.
SASB currently exports kenaf powder to Japan and Korea. Its operations started in February by milling kenaf at the National Tobacco Board's facility. It recently started a 0.5 ha Collection, Processing and Marketing Centre (CPMC) in Beris Lalang at a cost of RM1 million. SABS plans to export kenaf composite material to its business partners in industrialised countries. Global demand is forecast to grow exponentially, especially in composite materials, because kenaf is an environmentally friendly industrial plant and organic material recognised by the Kyoto Protocol to mitigate global warming. When kenaf is used in composite materials, companies can enjoy special tax incentives when it is exported to the European Union and the USA.
North American demand for both wood and agricultural fibre used as plastic additives, is forecast to be in the range of 15-20% pa in automotive applications, to 50% pa in selected building products. The market for these composites is projected to nearly triple in size during the next decade, and will increase demand for the nearly US$100 mln (RM321 mln) additives segment of this market.
REIT option for Malay reserve land in ECER 16 June 2008
16-06-2008: REIT option for Malay reserve land in ECER
by Sharon Tan
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA TERENGGANU: The development council for the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is mulling the setting up of a real-estate investment trust (REIT) for Malay reserve land in the development corridor.
Under the proposed REIT, all the Malay reserve land would be parked under an umbrella fund with the land leased out and the owners receiving dividends, or equity, or both.
The chief executive officer of the newly launched ECER development council (ECERDC), Datuk Jebasingam Issace John, said there was a mix of land types in the region.
“But for the Malay reserve land, we are looking at the setting up of a real-estate trust. The mechanisms and details are being worked out now. The state will be involved in it,” he told The Edge Financial Daily in an exclusive interview.
The REIT option is being considered to realise value for the Malay reserve land, the bulk of which is unutilised at present.
A total of RM112 billion has been targeted as total investments in the ECER by 2020. John said an initial investment of RM18 billion was expected to flow into the region by 2010.
Apart from domestic investors, he said the ECERDC hopes to draw investments from the Middle East, Japan, China and Taiwan. For now, there are local commitments in the plastics and kenaf industries.
It is learnt that some Australian parties have expressed interest in fisheries while several European firms are keen on the tourism industry. Announcements on some of these ventures are expected by year-end.
The ECERDC, formed to take charge of the development of the ECER, can now begin its marketing and promotion work although the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority have been marketing the region since its launch last year.
The setting up of the council was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Saturday.
Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the council, also announced location-based incentive packages for investors, the first of their kind in the country.
Investors in sectors such as tourism, petrochemical, manufacturing and agriculture can enjoy up to 10 years of income tax exemption from the first year of profit, or investment tax allowance amounting to 100% of capital expenditure for five years.
“We should be able to draw investors not only through incentives but incentives supported by infrastructure,” said John.
He said focus would be given to industrial parks such as the Gebeng Industrial Complex in Pahang which comes with port facilities, Teluk Kalong Heavy Industry Park in Kemaman, which is linked to Kemaman Port, and the petrochemical complex in Kerteh, which includes the Kerteh Plastics Park.
“Infrastructure work at the Kerteh plastics park is almost completed and there are already three investors in place with RM50 million investments,” said John.
“The other three parks are already ongoing. We only need to strengthen the infrastructure and do marketing and promotion to bring the investors here. With the incentive package that we have now, we should be able to draw the investors,” said John, adding that halal parks would be developed in Gambang, Pahang and Pasir Mas, Kelantan.
ECER would also be well linked to the Kuantan-Kuala Terengganu Highway currently under construction.
John also said a feasibility study was being undertaken for the extension of the highway to Kota Bahru. He hoped to see work on this stretch take off under the 9th Malaysia Plan period, or the 10th Plan. Also, the connection between Ipoh and Kuala Berang was expcted to be ready next year.
To expedite work, the ECERDC would appoint an Implementation Coordination Committee (ICC) in each state to fast-track approvals and implementation.
John said the ECER’s agropolitan projects are targeted at the 30,000 hardcore-poor households in the region.
“The target is to eliminate hardcore poverty by 2010. The agropolitan projects are integrated rural development projects. They would have as their main crops rubber and oil palm.”
John said the farmer’s dependents would not be left out. “We want to create other agro-based job opportunities such as poultry farming and cocoa cultivation,” he said, adding that although it was a tall order to provide jobs for the family members, it had to be done.
by Sharon Tan
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA TERENGGANU: The development council for the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is mulling the setting up of a real-estate investment trust (REIT) for Malay reserve land in the development corridor.
Under the proposed REIT, all the Malay reserve land would be parked under an umbrella fund with the land leased out and the owners receiving dividends, or equity, or both.
The chief executive officer of the newly launched ECER development council (ECERDC), Datuk Jebasingam Issace John, said there was a mix of land types in the region.
“But for the Malay reserve land, we are looking at the setting up of a real-estate trust. The mechanisms and details are being worked out now. The state will be involved in it,” he told The Edge Financial Daily in an exclusive interview.
The REIT option is being considered to realise value for the Malay reserve land, the bulk of which is unutilised at present.
A total of RM112 billion has been targeted as total investments in the ECER by 2020. John said an initial investment of RM18 billion was expected to flow into the region by 2010.
Apart from domestic investors, he said the ECERDC hopes to draw investments from the Middle East, Japan, China and Taiwan. For now, there are local commitments in the plastics and kenaf industries.
It is learnt that some Australian parties have expressed interest in fisheries while several European firms are keen on the tourism industry. Announcements on some of these ventures are expected by year-end.
The ECERDC, formed to take charge of the development of the ECER, can now begin its marketing and promotion work although the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority have been marketing the region since its launch last year.
The setting up of the council was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Saturday.
Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the council, also announced location-based incentive packages for investors, the first of their kind in the country.
Investors in sectors such as tourism, petrochemical, manufacturing and agriculture can enjoy up to 10 years of income tax exemption from the first year of profit, or investment tax allowance amounting to 100% of capital expenditure for five years.
“We should be able to draw investors not only through incentives but incentives supported by infrastructure,” said John.
He said focus would be given to industrial parks such as the Gebeng Industrial Complex in Pahang which comes with port facilities, Teluk Kalong Heavy Industry Park in Kemaman, which is linked to Kemaman Port, and the petrochemical complex in Kerteh, which includes the Kerteh Plastics Park.
“Infrastructure work at the Kerteh plastics park is almost completed and there are already three investors in place with RM50 million investments,” said John.
“The other three parks are already ongoing. We only need to strengthen the infrastructure and do marketing and promotion to bring the investors here. With the incentive package that we have now, we should be able to draw the investors,” said John, adding that halal parks would be developed in Gambang, Pahang and Pasir Mas, Kelantan.
ECER would also be well linked to the Kuantan-Kuala Terengganu Highway currently under construction.
John also said a feasibility study was being undertaken for the extension of the highway to Kota Bahru. He hoped to see work on this stretch take off under the 9th Malaysia Plan period, or the 10th Plan. Also, the connection between Ipoh and Kuala Berang was expcted to be ready next year.
To expedite work, the ECERDC would appoint an Implementation Coordination Committee (ICC) in each state to fast-track approvals and implementation.
John said the ECER’s agropolitan projects are targeted at the 30,000 hardcore-poor households in the region.
“The target is to eliminate hardcore poverty by 2010. The agropolitan projects are integrated rural development projects. They would have as their main crops rubber and oil palm.”
John said the farmer’s dependents would not be left out. “We want to create other agro-based job opportunities such as poultry farming and cocoa cultivation,” he said, adding that although it was a tall order to provide jobs for the family members, it had to be done.
ECER States - Development Focus
STATE DEVELOPMENT FOCUS
Economic initiatives in each of the ECER states will take into account the resources available and positioning of each state.
Kelantan
- Principal East Coast cross-border trading and tourism centre;
o Rantau Panjang and Bukit Bunga (Cross border tourism and trading destinations)
o Pengkalan Kubor (major cross border tourism and trading hub)
- Development of halal food and products manufacturing centre in Pasir Mas;
- Major education hub with the establishment of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) in Kota Bharu – Bachok and Jeli branches;
- Agro-based activities;
o Herbal cultivation (Gua Musang and Jeli);
o Fisheries (Integrated Fisheries Park in Tok Bali and Aquaculture in Pergau); and
o Poultry production (Gua Musang and Jeli).
Terengganu
- Dynamic Tourism Getaway focusing on mainland coastal tourism and sustainable island tourism including ecotourism, urban tourism, cultural and heritage tourism.
- Redevelopment of Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) to strengthen Kuala Terengganu’s image as Heritage Waterfront City.
- Petrochemical industry;
o Ethylene-based products such as adhesives, sealants, automotive parts and household detergents (Kertih);
o Newly planned Kertih Plastics Park (KPP) with cutting-edge support infrastructure and services.
- Agro – Based Industry
o Centre of goat breeding and mutton cluster (Kuala Berang);
o Citrus Valley (Durian Mentagau);
o Kenaf planting (Setiu); and
o Aquaculture activities (Tasik Kenyir).
- Regional centre of educational excellence and preferred study destination;
o Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT);
o Universiti Darul Iman (UDI);
o Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM); and
o Knowledge Park in Besut.
Pahang
- ECER’s main industrial and logistic hub focusing in resource-based manufacturing activities such as rubber-based industry, wood-based industries, halal food and non-food industries.
- Kuantan Port City (KPC) will be an integrated terminal and logistic hub for the petrochemical, palm oil and automotive market.
- Petrochemical industry:-
o Propylene-based products such as textiles, apparels, home furnishing and pharmaceuticals (Gebeng).
- ECER’s automotive manufacturing, assembly and distribution hub as well as development of automotive design.
- Ecotourism centre as gateway to Taman Negara.
- For mainland coastal tourism, Pantai Sepat will be marked for resort and hotel development.
- Educational excellence via Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) especially in Engineering and Technology based science.
- Agriculture sector:
o Integrated pineapple growing into oil plantation in Rompin;
o Vegetable growing in Kuantan; and
o Nucleus Cattle Breeding and Research Centre in Muadzam Shah.
Mersing
- Emergence as an important mainland coastal tourism destination gateway:
o Island tourism of Pulau Tioman, Pulau Besar, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Aur, Pulau Sibu and Pulau Pemanggil; and
o Ecotourism of Endau Rompin National Park.
Source: Imbasan Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur by Majlis Pembangunan ECER
Economic initiatives in each of the ECER states will take into account the resources available and positioning of each state.
Kelantan
- Principal East Coast cross-border trading and tourism centre;
o Rantau Panjang and Bukit Bunga (Cross border tourism and trading destinations)
o Pengkalan Kubor (major cross border tourism and trading hub)
- Development of halal food and products manufacturing centre in Pasir Mas;
- Major education hub with the establishment of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) in Kota Bharu – Bachok and Jeli branches;
- Agro-based activities;
o Herbal cultivation (Gua Musang and Jeli);
o Fisheries (Integrated Fisheries Park in Tok Bali and Aquaculture in Pergau); and
o Poultry production (Gua Musang and Jeli).
Terengganu
- Dynamic Tourism Getaway focusing on mainland coastal tourism and sustainable island tourism including ecotourism, urban tourism, cultural and heritage tourism.
- Redevelopment of Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) to strengthen Kuala Terengganu’s image as Heritage Waterfront City.
- Petrochemical industry;
o Ethylene-based products such as adhesives, sealants, automotive parts and household detergents (Kertih);
o Newly planned Kertih Plastics Park (KPP) with cutting-edge support infrastructure and services.
- Agro – Based Industry
o Centre of goat breeding and mutton cluster (Kuala Berang);
o Citrus Valley (Durian Mentagau);
o Kenaf planting (Setiu); and
o Aquaculture activities (Tasik Kenyir).
- Regional centre of educational excellence and preferred study destination;
o Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT);
o Universiti Darul Iman (UDI);
o Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM); and
o Knowledge Park in Besut.
Pahang
- ECER’s main industrial and logistic hub focusing in resource-based manufacturing activities such as rubber-based industry, wood-based industries, halal food and non-food industries.
- Kuantan Port City (KPC) will be an integrated terminal and logistic hub for the petrochemical, palm oil and automotive market.
- Petrochemical industry:-
o Propylene-based products such as textiles, apparels, home furnishing and pharmaceuticals (Gebeng).
- ECER’s automotive manufacturing, assembly and distribution hub as well as development of automotive design.
- Ecotourism centre as gateway to Taman Negara.
- For mainland coastal tourism, Pantai Sepat will be marked for resort and hotel development.
- Educational excellence via Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) especially in Engineering and Technology based science.
- Agriculture sector:
o Integrated pineapple growing into oil plantation in Rompin;
o Vegetable growing in Kuantan; and
o Nucleus Cattle Breeding and Research Centre in Muadzam Shah.
Mersing
- Emergence as an important mainland coastal tourism destination gateway:
o Island tourism of Pulau Tioman, Pulau Besar, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Aur, Pulau Sibu and Pulau Pemanggil; and
o Ecotourism of Endau Rompin National Park.
Source: Imbasan Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur by Majlis Pembangunan ECER
Malaysia Trade Performance - April 2008
TRADE PERFORMANCE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2008 AND THE PERIOD OF JANUARY-APRIL 2008#
MALAYSIA EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS 1
PRELIMINARY RELEASE *
Total trade in April 2008 rose 15.8% to RM100.12 billion compared with the corresponding month in 2007. Exports surged 20.9% to RM55.8 billion while imports expanded by 10% to RM44.32 billion.
A higher trade surplus of RM11.48 billion was recorded in April 2008, an increase of 95.8% from April 2007. It was the 126th consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997.
Total trade for the period January to April 2008 amounted to RM376.89 billion, an increase of 10.3% from the corresponding period of 2007. Exports increased by 12.7% to RM207.6 billion, while imports grew by 7.6% to RM169.3 billion, from the same period of 2007. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM38.3 billion.
MALAYSIA EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS 1
PRELIMINARY RELEASE *
Total trade in April 2008 rose 15.8% to RM100.12 billion compared with the corresponding month in 2007. Exports surged 20.9% to RM55.8 billion while imports expanded by 10% to RM44.32 billion.
A higher trade surplus of RM11.48 billion was recorded in April 2008, an increase of 95.8% from April 2007. It was the 126th consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997.
Total trade for the period January to April 2008 amounted to RM376.89 billion, an increase of 10.3% from the corresponding period of 2007. Exports increased by 12.7% to RM207.6 billion, while imports grew by 7.6% to RM169.3 billion, from the same period of 2007. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM38.3 billion.
Investing on roads in ECER, 20 September 2007
Investing on roads in ECER
BY WONG SAI WAN
saiwan@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER) will cost RM112bil of which 40% will be spent to build roads to spur development, said Petronas president Tan Sri Hassan Merican.
“Enhancement of transportation connectivity and economic linkages with the Western Corridor, the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) are key factors needed for the ECER to succeed,” he said.
Hassan, who is also Petronas chief executive officer, explained that one of the major problems faced by the three east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang was the lack of proper roads to connect them to the rest of the country where most of the economic activities were being carried out.
Petronas was asked by the Government to draw up the masterplan for the ECER, which comprises 66,736 sq km of land or 51% of Peninsular Malaysia covering the three states and the district of Mersing in Johor.
The ECER is the third development region to be launched this year after the IDR in Johor and the NCER covering states in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
The masterplan proposes to develop the region in 12 years under the 9th, 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans.
The roads to be built include Phase Three of the East Coast Expressway linking Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru, Phase Four of the expressway connecting Kuantan to Johor Baru and a highway linking Temerloh to Kuala Pilah.
Hassan said 47% of the cost of developing the ECER would be financed by the private sector, including 27% via private finance initiative.
“The main objective of the ECER is to accelerate growth in the region in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner.
“This region is among the poorest in the country and we need to correct the imbalance between the east and west coast,” he said, adding that the east coast states accounted for more than 30% of the country’s hardcore poor.
Hassan said the five main clusters or sectors that had been identified as the engine of growth for the region covers tourism, oil, gas and petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture and education.
“Agriculture will be the main project because of the huge tracts of land available. Our experts have identified two types of crops – citrus fruits and pineapples – as the most suitable to be cultivated in the region.
“We are also looking at setting up rubber tree forest estates of up to 100,000ha to be grown and harvested for their timber. This will in turn enable furniture factories to be set up in the region as rubber wood will be easily available,” he added.
Thursday September 20, 2007 STAR Online
BY WONG SAI WAN
saiwan@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER) will cost RM112bil of which 40% will be spent to build roads to spur development, said Petronas president Tan Sri Hassan Merican.
“Enhancement of transportation connectivity and economic linkages with the Western Corridor, the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) are key factors needed for the ECER to succeed,” he said.
Hassan, who is also Petronas chief executive officer, explained that one of the major problems faced by the three east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang was the lack of proper roads to connect them to the rest of the country where most of the economic activities were being carried out.
Petronas was asked by the Government to draw up the masterplan for the ECER, which comprises 66,736 sq km of land or 51% of Peninsular Malaysia covering the three states and the district of Mersing in Johor.
The ECER is the third development region to be launched this year after the IDR in Johor and the NCER covering states in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
The masterplan proposes to develop the region in 12 years under the 9th, 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans.
The roads to be built include Phase Three of the East Coast Expressway linking Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru, Phase Four of the expressway connecting Kuantan to Johor Baru and a highway linking Temerloh to Kuala Pilah.
Hassan said 47% of the cost of developing the ECER would be financed by the private sector, including 27% via private finance initiative.
“The main objective of the ECER is to accelerate growth in the region in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner.
“This region is among the poorest in the country and we need to correct the imbalance between the east and west coast,” he said, adding that the east coast states accounted for more than 30% of the country’s hardcore poor.
Hassan said the five main clusters or sectors that had been identified as the engine of growth for the region covers tourism, oil, gas and petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture and education.
“Agriculture will be the main project because of the huge tracts of land available. Our experts have identified two types of crops – citrus fruits and pineapples – as the most suitable to be cultivated in the region.
“We are also looking at setting up rubber tree forest estates of up to 100,000ha to be grown and harvested for their timber. This will in turn enable furniture factories to be set up in the region as rubber wood will be easily available,” he added.
Thursday September 20, 2007 STAR Online
RM6b kickstart for ECER (updated) 29 October 2007
RM6b kickstart for ECER (updated)
By WONG SAI WAN
KUALA TERENGGANU: Building on the strength of the East Coast’s natural resources, talents and heritage will be the basis to turn Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang into developed states by the year 2020.
The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will use the rich oil and gas reserves, agriculture as well as the people’s trading tradition and craftsmanship to achieve this goal.
As a start, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced a RM6bil special allocation for the implementation of several “high impact” projects which were already identified in the region.
He is expected to give more details Tuesday when he launches the Pahang state-level of the ECER.
Abdullah said that in order for the ECER targets to become a reality, the governments and people of these three states – plus the district of Mersing in Northern Johor – must work together.
He pointed out that there should be no competition among the states, which represents 51% of the landmass of the peninsula, but instead they should complement each other.
“I have announced the formation of these development corridors when tabling the 9th Malaysia Plan and it is now becoming a reality in the East Coast.
“However, for the goals to be achieved there must be proper and quick implementation, without which all the plans will fail,” he said when launching the ECER here Monday.
Abdullah had earlier this year launched the Iskandar Development Region in Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region for Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Northern Perak.
He is expected to launch a similar economic corridor for Sarawak next month.
The STAR Online
Monday October 29, 2007
MYT 7:20:36 PM
By WONG SAI WAN
KUALA TERENGGANU: Building on the strength of the East Coast’s natural resources, talents and heritage will be the basis to turn Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang into developed states by the year 2020.
The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will use the rich oil and gas reserves, agriculture as well as the people’s trading tradition and craftsmanship to achieve this goal.
As a start, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced a RM6bil special allocation for the implementation of several “high impact” projects which were already identified in the region.
He is expected to give more details Tuesday when he launches the Pahang state-level of the ECER.
Abdullah said that in order for the ECER targets to become a reality, the governments and people of these three states – plus the district of Mersing in Northern Johor – must work together.
He pointed out that there should be no competition among the states, which represents 51% of the landmass of the peninsula, but instead they should complement each other.
“I have announced the formation of these development corridors when tabling the 9th Malaysia Plan and it is now becoming a reality in the East Coast.
“However, for the goals to be achieved there must be proper and quick implementation, without which all the plans will fail,” he said when launching the ECER here Monday.
Abdullah had earlier this year launched the Iskandar Development Region in Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region for Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Northern Perak.
He is expected to launch a similar economic corridor for Sarawak next month.
The STAR Online
Monday October 29, 2007
MYT 7:20:36 PM
Terengganu to have international aviation hub, 29 October 2007
Monday October 29, 2007
Terengganu to have international aviation hub
By R.S.N MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Sultan Mahmud Airport here will be elevated to an international aviation hub to complement the vigorous development programme under East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who announced the elevation of the airport status, said this would enable Terengganu to become the gateway to the ECER as well as a major tourism and education hub.
"Although the Sultan Mahmud airport will be the gateway for the ECER, the airports in Kota Baru and Kuantan will be also upgraded to improve," he said at the launching of the ECER at Batu Burok here, on Monday.
Abdullah said the Sultan Mahmud airport was undergoing renovation at a cost of RM123mil and would also see an extension to its runway to enable bigger aircrafts to land.
Abdullah also unveiled several ECER goodies for Terengganu including the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) to transform this sleepy hallow into a high impact urban development to signify the town's multi modal role as tourism and investment gateway.
The Prime Minister also announced that Kuala Terengganu would be turned into an ICT nerve centre for ECER with the establishment of the International Business Exchange in Bukit Rakit and the setting up of a global animation hub to create high-end programmes for Hollywood, Korean, Japanese and local production houses.
Terengganu will also become the region's educational hub with the establishment of the 283ha Taman Ilmu (Knowledge Park) that will house six universities and several industrial training centres.
Terengganu to have international aviation hub
By R.S.N MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Sultan Mahmud Airport here will be elevated to an international aviation hub to complement the vigorous development programme under East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who announced the elevation of the airport status, said this would enable Terengganu to become the gateway to the ECER as well as a major tourism and education hub.
"Although the Sultan Mahmud airport will be the gateway for the ECER, the airports in Kota Baru and Kuantan will be also upgraded to improve," he said at the launching of the ECER at Batu Burok here, on Monday.
Abdullah said the Sultan Mahmud airport was undergoing renovation at a cost of RM123mil and would also see an extension to its runway to enable bigger aircrafts to land.
Abdullah also unveiled several ECER goodies for Terengganu including the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) to transform this sleepy hallow into a high impact urban development to signify the town's multi modal role as tourism and investment gateway.
The Prime Minister also announced that Kuala Terengganu would be turned into an ICT nerve centre for ECER with the establishment of the International Business Exchange in Bukit Rakit and the setting up of a global animation hub to create high-end programmes for Hollywood, Korean, Japanese and local production houses.
Terengganu will also become the region's educational hub with the establishment of the 283ha Taman Ilmu (Knowledge Park) that will house six universities and several industrial training centres.
Business opportunities in East Coast Economic Region, 20 September 2007
Business opportunities in East Coast Economic Region
20 September, 2007
Business opportunities await local and foreign investors in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia with the scheduled launch of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Master Plan by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, on October 30. The ECER is an area covering 66,736 sq km of land in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the district of Mersing district in Johor, which together constituted about 51 % of Peninsular Malaysia.
The blueprint, which is being finalized by the Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), the National oil company, aims to spur the development in the region and further uplifting the economic wellbeing of the people there. The Plan envisaged the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the ECER to grow by 7.2% to RM65.9 billion by 2020 from the RM23.1 billion in 2005.
Petronas President and Chief executive Officer, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said some RM112 billion in investments were expected to be poured into the region for the planned period. Some 39% is expected to be invested in infrastructure development, including construction of new roads and upgrading of existing roads as well as expansion of the regional airports.
The ECER would focus on the services, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. In the services sector, one of the main thrusts is on tourism. The services sector is projected to contribute RM34.3 billion by 2020 from the RM11.7 billion in 2005
The manufacturing sector, which is targeted to grow to RM19.1 billion by 2020 from RM5.9 billion in 2005, would focus on the further development of the oil and gas and petrochemicals industries, given the inherent strength of large reserves of oil and gas and the existing cluster of these industries in the region. It is expected to create greater linkages with other downstream manufacturing clusters, such as automotive, electrical and electronics and packaging industry clusters.
In addition, the furniture industry would also be an area for development as rubber plantations have been identified for the supply of timber to be used in furniture-making.
With wide expanse of agricultural land, there would be renewed interest in large-scale commercial farming including for fruits such as citrus and pineapple, using the latest technology, and enhancing supply chain management. Such efforts would boost the development of downstream value-adding activities. The agriculture sector is expected to grow to RM8.6 billion by 2020 from RM3.7 billion in 2005.
The availability of a relatively big workforce, with a significant number of females as well as the more cost-competitive wage rates compared with the West Coast, are added draws to potential investors to the ECER, besides the existing good educational facilities there.
In identifying suitable growth areas for the different states, the Plan would take into consideration the competitive strengths of the respective states.
Kelantan, with its acknowledged entrepreneurship among its people, would be the centre for trading. In addition, the State would also focus on developing as a centre of educational excellence in line with the emphasis on human capital development. Kelantan is also expected to promote agro-based activities such as poultry rearing and herbal plants cultivation.
Terengganu, with its renown tourists sites, would be geared as a tourism gateway, beside harnessing its current strengths in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries to move into high value downstream processing activities. The State is also expected to be a centre of educational excellence. In agriculture, the State is expected to encourage goat-rearing and the cultivation of citrus fruits.
Pahang, the largest State in the East Coast would focus on manufacturing, which would extend to develop a palm oil industrial cluster. The State would also be positioned to develop an integrated logistics distribution hub, as part of its port city development. For the agriculture sector, cattle rearing and pineapple cultivation would be promoted.
With the planned development in the ECER, the third regional plan coming after the Iskandar Development Region in South Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the Malaysian Government is on track to achieve a viable, equitable and sustainable development in the country. Similar development master plans are also being drawn up for Sabah and Sarawak.
Adapted from "New Straits Times", 20 September, 2007
20 September, 2007
Business opportunities await local and foreign investors in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia with the scheduled launch of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Master Plan by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, on October 30. The ECER is an area covering 66,736 sq km of land in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the district of Mersing district in Johor, which together constituted about 51 % of Peninsular Malaysia.
The blueprint, which is being finalized by the Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), the National oil company, aims to spur the development in the region and further uplifting the economic wellbeing of the people there. The Plan envisaged the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the ECER to grow by 7.2% to RM65.9 billion by 2020 from the RM23.1 billion in 2005.
Petronas President and Chief executive Officer, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said some RM112 billion in investments were expected to be poured into the region for the planned period. Some 39% is expected to be invested in infrastructure development, including construction of new roads and upgrading of existing roads as well as expansion of the regional airports.
The ECER would focus on the services, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. In the services sector, one of the main thrusts is on tourism. The services sector is projected to contribute RM34.3 billion by 2020 from the RM11.7 billion in 2005
The manufacturing sector, which is targeted to grow to RM19.1 billion by 2020 from RM5.9 billion in 2005, would focus on the further development of the oil and gas and petrochemicals industries, given the inherent strength of large reserves of oil and gas and the existing cluster of these industries in the region. It is expected to create greater linkages with other downstream manufacturing clusters, such as automotive, electrical and electronics and packaging industry clusters.
In addition, the furniture industry would also be an area for development as rubber plantations have been identified for the supply of timber to be used in furniture-making.
With wide expanse of agricultural land, there would be renewed interest in large-scale commercial farming including for fruits such as citrus and pineapple, using the latest technology, and enhancing supply chain management. Such efforts would boost the development of downstream value-adding activities. The agriculture sector is expected to grow to RM8.6 billion by 2020 from RM3.7 billion in 2005.
The availability of a relatively big workforce, with a significant number of females as well as the more cost-competitive wage rates compared with the West Coast, are added draws to potential investors to the ECER, besides the existing good educational facilities there.
In identifying suitable growth areas for the different states, the Plan would take into consideration the competitive strengths of the respective states.
Kelantan, with its acknowledged entrepreneurship among its people, would be the centre for trading. In addition, the State would also focus on developing as a centre of educational excellence in line with the emphasis on human capital development. Kelantan is also expected to promote agro-based activities such as poultry rearing and herbal plants cultivation.
Terengganu, with its renown tourists sites, would be geared as a tourism gateway, beside harnessing its current strengths in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries to move into high value downstream processing activities. The State is also expected to be a centre of educational excellence. In agriculture, the State is expected to encourage goat-rearing and the cultivation of citrus fruits.
Pahang, the largest State in the East Coast would focus on manufacturing, which would extend to develop a palm oil industrial cluster. The State would also be positioned to develop an integrated logistics distribution hub, as part of its port city development. For the agriculture sector, cattle rearing and pineapple cultivation would be promoted.
With the planned development in the ECER, the third regional plan coming after the Iskandar Development Region in South Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the Malaysian Government is on track to achieve a viable, equitable and sustainable development in the country. Similar development master plans are also being drawn up for Sabah and Sarawak.
Adapted from "New Straits Times", 20 September, 2007
RM112b boost for ECER 20-09-2007
20-09-2007: RM112b boost for ECER
by Kevin Tan
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER), which is scheduled to be launched late next month, is projected to rake in up to RM112 billion of investments, with the thrust in the development of sectors such as tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and education, for the next 13 years.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) chairman Tan Sri Hassan Merican (pic) said 47% of the projected investments would come from the private sector and the remainder from the government. He said the allocation to develop the transportation infrastructure alone would take up more than 40% of the RM112 billion.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Hassan said the ECER development plan would be the basis for guiding the development of the region, which comprises 66,736 sq km of land or 51% of Peninsular Malaysia, from now until 2020.
“The main objective of the ECER development plan is to accelerate the growth of the region in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner.
“This will be undertaken through the development of programmes to raise incomes and reduce poverty by expanding employment prospects through the introduction of high-impact, catalytic projects to spur development in the region,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to launch the ECER, which will cover Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Mersing, Johor, in late October.
On ECER’s impact to society, Hassan said the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) was expected to grow at a faster rate of 7.2% compared with 6.3% for the whole of Malaysia by 2020.
It will also create 561,000 jobs and increase the monthly household income of the population in the ECER from RM2,267 now to RM5,227. The population in the ECER made up about 14.5% of the total population of 26.8 million in Malaysia.
The ECER is also the Malay heartland as bumiputeras make up 86.6%, followed by the Chinese at 7.8%, Indians at 1.8% and others at 3.8%.
Hassan said the plan would also address the economic imbalance in the region as the ECER states had among the lowest average household incomes in Malaysia.
Kelantan and Terengganu are also states with the highest level of poverty in Malaysia, which respectively account for 10.6% and 15.4% of the incidences of poverty in the country.
Hassan also revealed that the ECER would focus on key initiatives from sectors such as tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and education.
Petronas, which conducted a study and drafted the master plan for the ECER, had among others identified 50,000 acres to 100,000 acres of land for the cultivation of rubber trees as a source for wood, he said.
It has also identified Kelantan as suitable for the cultivation of poultry and herbs, Terengganu for goat rearing and citrus valley and Pahang for cattle farming and pineapple.
The ECER would also see an optimal use of the Malay Reserve Land, which made up of about 40% of the land in the ECER, Hassan said, adding that there was a proposal to set up a trust to buy these land and landowners could also become members of the trust fund.
Hassan said like the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the ECER would also come under the purview of an Act of Parliament, and there would be a council presided by the prime minister to oversee its implementation.
The council will also consist of the deputy prime minister, mentris besar of the four states, two federal government ministers, the federal government’s chief secretary, two representatives from the public sector, two representatives from the private sector, and the council’s chief executive officer.
“The power of the council is quite extensive. It will act and authorise (projects) on behalf of the government,” Hassan said, adding that a bill on the ECER would be tabled in the Parliament in December.
On Petronas’ involvement in the ECER, he said the government had only asked Petronas to come up with a master plan. He added that Petronas would continue operating its business in the region as usual.
by Kevin Tan
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER), which is scheduled to be launched late next month, is projected to rake in up to RM112 billion of investments, with the thrust in the development of sectors such as tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and education, for the next 13 years.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) chairman Tan Sri Hassan Merican (pic) said 47% of the projected investments would come from the private sector and the remainder from the government. He said the allocation to develop the transportation infrastructure alone would take up more than 40% of the RM112 billion.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Hassan said the ECER development plan would be the basis for guiding the development of the region, which comprises 66,736 sq km of land or 51% of Peninsular Malaysia, from now until 2020.
“The main objective of the ECER development plan is to accelerate the growth of the region in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner.
“This will be undertaken through the development of programmes to raise incomes and reduce poverty by expanding employment prospects through the introduction of high-impact, catalytic projects to spur development in the region,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to launch the ECER, which will cover Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Mersing, Johor, in late October.
On ECER’s impact to society, Hassan said the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) was expected to grow at a faster rate of 7.2% compared with 6.3% for the whole of Malaysia by 2020.
It will also create 561,000 jobs and increase the monthly household income of the population in the ECER from RM2,267 now to RM5,227. The population in the ECER made up about 14.5% of the total population of 26.8 million in Malaysia.
The ECER is also the Malay heartland as bumiputeras make up 86.6%, followed by the Chinese at 7.8%, Indians at 1.8% and others at 3.8%.
Hassan said the plan would also address the economic imbalance in the region as the ECER states had among the lowest average household incomes in Malaysia.
Kelantan and Terengganu are also states with the highest level of poverty in Malaysia, which respectively account for 10.6% and 15.4% of the incidences of poverty in the country.
Hassan also revealed that the ECER would focus on key initiatives from sectors such as tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and education.
Petronas, which conducted a study and drafted the master plan for the ECER, had among others identified 50,000 acres to 100,000 acres of land for the cultivation of rubber trees as a source for wood, he said.
It has also identified Kelantan as suitable for the cultivation of poultry and herbs, Terengganu for goat rearing and citrus valley and Pahang for cattle farming and pineapple.
The ECER would also see an optimal use of the Malay Reserve Land, which made up of about 40% of the land in the ECER, Hassan said, adding that there was a proposal to set up a trust to buy these land and landowners could also become members of the trust fund.
Hassan said like the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the ECER would also come under the purview of an Act of Parliament, and there would be a council presided by the prime minister to oversee its implementation.
The council will also consist of the deputy prime minister, mentris besar of the four states, two federal government ministers, the federal government’s chief secretary, two representatives from the public sector, two representatives from the private sector, and the council’s chief executive officer.
“The power of the council is quite extensive. It will act and authorise (projects) on behalf of the government,” Hassan said, adding that a bill on the ECER would be tabled in the Parliament in December.
On Petronas’ involvement in the ECER, he said the government had only asked Petronas to come up with a master plan. He added that Petronas would continue operating its business in the region as usual.
PM announces incentives for ECER, slams detractors, 15 June 2008
PM announces incentives for ECER, slams detractors
By : Rosli Zakaria and Sean Augustin
KUALA TERENGGANU: Announcing incentives to spur development in the east coast, the prime minister urged the people to stop believing the lies of detractors of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "Nothing (that the government does) is good for them.
"There are rumours that the government had reduced the fuel subsidy, borrowed billions of ringgit from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank to support mega projects in the development corridors.
"These are all lies," he said at the launch of the ECER Development Council and announcement of ECER incentives at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
Abdullah said all programmes within the corridor, including education and agriculture, were people-centric.
"We want to see an equitable distribution of opportunities for the people. This is what we have been emphasising."
He added that the establishment of the council would ensure better supervision of programmes.
More importantly, he said the council would act as the bridge between the Federal and state governments.
Abdullah said he was satisfied with the progress made since the launch of the ECER last year, such as the establishment of academic centres of excellence at five universities in this region.
The universities are Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Darul Iman, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, UiTM and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
"This is in line with the ECER goal of stimulating the development of human capital, encouraging research and development and the expansion of industries in this region."
Abdullah said RM50 million had been invested in the petrochemical cluster, especially at the Kertih Plastic Park.
In addition, he said about RM18 billion would be invested in ECER states.
"The projects in ECER will cushion the impact of a recession."
Abdullah added that ensuring food security and providing a buffer stock for rice were among the initiatives.
ECER will be the first to introduce location-based incentives.
In the tourism sector, for example, companies that commence operations before Dec 31, 2015, are eligible for a 10- year income tax exemption or investment tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent of capital expenditure for five years.
Among the incentives are:
- In the petrochemical sector, companies that commence operations before Dec 31, 2015, will be exempted from income tax for 10 years from the year the company derives profit.
These companies will also get double deduction for expenses incurred for promotion of the ECER Industrial Park overseas as well as derive qualifying capital expenditure allowance for five years for investments in machinery and buildings.
- In manufacturing, companies will be exempted from income tax for 10 years from the year the company derives profits, or gain income tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent for companies developing infrastructure of industrial areas.
- In food production, companies undertaking projects in the agriculture sector, crop production and processing, livestock (excluding poultry) and fisheries will be given income tax exemption for 10 years starting from the date the company derives profit or income tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent on qualifying capital expenditure for five years.
- In education, operators and investors in educational projects who start operations before Dec 31, 2015, are eligible for income tax exemption of 100 per cent for 10 years, or investment tax allowance of 100 per cent qualifying capital expenditure within 10 years.
Such investors would be exempted from withholding tax on royalty and technical fees for 10 years.
Abdullah said he wanted to see all the projects planned for the regional corridor implemented soon.
"I want to see fast-track developments of the projects identified.
"Their success, however, will depend on the cooperation from the states and I hope to get a good response."
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of the council management team, Datuk Jebasingam Issace John, said the incentives would position the region as a top investment destination in the country.
"To develop ECER, each industry cluster - tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and education - has its own incentives."
NST Line. 15 June 2008.
Jebasingam said the incentives would increase productivity and help companies to compete nationally and globally.
By : Rosli Zakaria and Sean Augustin
KUALA TERENGGANU: Announcing incentives to spur development in the east coast, the prime minister urged the people to stop believing the lies of detractors of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "Nothing (that the government does) is good for them.
"There are rumours that the government had reduced the fuel subsidy, borrowed billions of ringgit from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank to support mega projects in the development corridors.
"These are all lies," he said at the launch of the ECER Development Council and announcement of ECER incentives at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu yesterday.
Abdullah said all programmes within the corridor, including education and agriculture, were people-centric.
"We want to see an equitable distribution of opportunities for the people. This is what we have been emphasising."
He added that the establishment of the council would ensure better supervision of programmes.
More importantly, he said the council would act as the bridge between the Federal and state governments.
Abdullah said he was satisfied with the progress made since the launch of the ECER last year, such as the establishment of academic centres of excellence at five universities in this region.
The universities are Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Darul Iman, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, UiTM and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
"This is in line with the ECER goal of stimulating the development of human capital, encouraging research and development and the expansion of industries in this region."
Abdullah said RM50 million had been invested in the petrochemical cluster, especially at the Kertih Plastic Park.
In addition, he said about RM18 billion would be invested in ECER states.
"The projects in ECER will cushion the impact of a recession."
Abdullah added that ensuring food security and providing a buffer stock for rice were among the initiatives.
ECER will be the first to introduce location-based incentives.
In the tourism sector, for example, companies that commence operations before Dec 31, 2015, are eligible for a 10- year income tax exemption or investment tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent of capital expenditure for five years.
Among the incentives are:
- In the petrochemical sector, companies that commence operations before Dec 31, 2015, will be exempted from income tax for 10 years from the year the company derives profit.
These companies will also get double deduction for expenses incurred for promotion of the ECER Industrial Park overseas as well as derive qualifying capital expenditure allowance for five years for investments in machinery and buildings.
- In manufacturing, companies will be exempted from income tax for 10 years from the year the company derives profits, or gain income tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent for companies developing infrastructure of industrial areas.
- In food production, companies undertaking projects in the agriculture sector, crop production and processing, livestock (excluding poultry) and fisheries will be given income tax exemption for 10 years starting from the date the company derives profit or income tax allowance amounting to 100 per cent on qualifying capital expenditure for five years.
- In education, operators and investors in educational projects who start operations before Dec 31, 2015, are eligible for income tax exemption of 100 per cent for 10 years, or investment tax allowance of 100 per cent qualifying capital expenditure within 10 years.
Such investors would be exempted from withholding tax on royalty and technical fees for 10 years.
Abdullah said he wanted to see all the projects planned for the regional corridor implemented soon.
"I want to see fast-track developments of the projects identified.
"Their success, however, will depend on the cooperation from the states and I hope to get a good response."
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of the council management team, Datuk Jebasingam Issace John, said the incentives would position the region as a top investment destination in the country.
"To develop ECER, each industry cluster - tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and education - has its own incentives."
NST Line. 15 June 2008.
Jebasingam said the incentives would increase productivity and help companies to compete nationally and globally.
ECER will be good for real estate development, 5 February 2008
Tuesday February 5, 2008
MYT 1:13:41 PM
ECER will be good for real estate development
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD
KUANTAN: Progress in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will have positive impact on real estate development and prices, especially in the industrial sector, industry experts and property consultants said.
According to Henry Butcher Malaysia's property research director Fahariah Abdul Wahab, there would be obvious positive impact if all ECER's initiatives were implemented smoothly.
She said the move was timely, taking advantage of the good tourism potential and prospects for new hotels and resorts in the region.
``There are a lot of players interested in investing in hotels and I believe before investing, they will be looking at land prices and viability.
``This is because in terms of hotels, the region still lacks good quality hotels on the mainland where you need five- to six-star hotels to attract foreign and business tourists,'' she said Tuesday in a statement released by the ECER Secretariat here.
She added that it was a long term plan and the higher impact would be on industrial development in buildings and land for industrial use.
Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd said even though there were some constraints in land sales and the impact skewed towards the oil and gas and agriculture sectors, ECER would have positive spillover effects to property prices and development activity in the region.
DPZ Asia's urban design consultant Kamal Ariffin Zahrain said he believed there was good development potential for the region as ECER's masterplan was structured to take full advantage of it.
``The masterplan is well integrated and flexible enough to allow new ideas and changes to be made in future.
``The more integrated the masterplan, the better,'' he added.
As for Kelantan, Kamal Ariffin said Kota Baru's business activity was expected to get a boost from the ECER plans as it also included the build of an integrated city centre there.
At the moment, Kota Baru had no clear city centre with businesses growing robustly and as such, the planned integrated city centre was timely and would fill the gap for businesses to leverage on, he added.
STAR Online
MYT 1:13:41 PM
ECER will be good for real estate development
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD
KUANTAN: Progress in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will have positive impact on real estate development and prices, especially in the industrial sector, industry experts and property consultants said.
According to Henry Butcher Malaysia's property research director Fahariah Abdul Wahab, there would be obvious positive impact if all ECER's initiatives were implemented smoothly.
She said the move was timely, taking advantage of the good tourism potential and prospects for new hotels and resorts in the region.
``There are a lot of players interested in investing in hotels and I believe before investing, they will be looking at land prices and viability.
``This is because in terms of hotels, the region still lacks good quality hotels on the mainland where you need five- to six-star hotels to attract foreign and business tourists,'' she said Tuesday in a statement released by the ECER Secretariat here.
She added that it was a long term plan and the higher impact would be on industrial development in buildings and land for industrial use.
Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd said even though there were some constraints in land sales and the impact skewed towards the oil and gas and agriculture sectors, ECER would have positive spillover effects to property prices and development activity in the region.
DPZ Asia's urban design consultant Kamal Ariffin Zahrain said he believed there was good development potential for the region as ECER's masterplan was structured to take full advantage of it.
``The masterplan is well integrated and flexible enough to allow new ideas and changes to be made in future.
``The more integrated the masterplan, the better,'' he added.
As for Kelantan, Kamal Ariffin said Kota Baru's business activity was expected to get a boost from the ECER plans as it also included the build of an integrated city centre there.
At the moment, Kota Baru had no clear city centre with businesses growing robustly and as such, the planned integrated city centre was timely and would fill the gap for businesses to leverage on, he added.
STAR Online
RM6 Bln Allocation For High Impact Projects In ECER Business - 29 Oct 2007
The ECER, the third economic region launched by the Prime Minister
Bernama.com Malaysian National News Agency
RM6 Bln Allocation For High Impact Projects In ECER Business
October 29, 2007 14:36 PM
KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 29 (Bernama) — Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday announced an allocation of RM6 billion for high impact projects to be implemented in the opening phase of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
The Prime Minister said the allocation would be made under a review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) programmes as well as additional allocations during the mid-term review of the 9MP.
"This (allocation) shows the government’s commitment to realise the efforts in bringing development to the ECER in line with the master plan," he said at the launch of the ECER for Terengganu at Taman Awam Batu Burok here today.
He was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah. Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, and Kelantan State Exco Member Datuk Husam Musa, who represented Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
The ECER, involving an investment of RM112 billion, is the third economic region to be launched by the Prime Minister this year, following the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
An initiative of national oil and gas corporation Petronas, the ECER covers Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and the Mersing district in Johor, taking up 66,736 square kilometres or 51 percent of Peninsular Malaysia.
The five major economic thrusts — tourism ; oil, gas and petrochemical ; manufacturing, agriculture ; and education — will be given priority under the ECER plan to raise the incomes and quality of life of about 3.9 million people in the region.
Abdullah also announced the setting up of the ECER Development Council to carry out projects and programmes which have been identified.
He said the council’s main objectives are to expedite and facilitate the development process in the region in a progressive, effective and balanced manner.
"It will also promote the region as a prime destination for business, investment and tourism," he added.
Abdullah said in developing the ECER, it was important to give attention to the implementation, which must move at a rapid pace.
"I want all the parties concerned to be ready to serve the people," he said.
The Prime Minister said the government will provide incentive packages and supporting grants to promote development of the sectors and initiatives identified under the ECER master plan.
Abdullah said as a whole, the ECER plan targeted 227 projects valued at RM112 billion in 12 years to make the region more progressive and dynamic.
He said of the total, the federal government is expected to take up 39 percent while government-linked companies (GLCs) will be involved in 14 percent.
Another 20 percent will come from the private sector and the remaining 27 percent will be from private finance initiatives (PFI).
Up to 43 percent of the overall investment in the ECER will be allocated to improve communications facilities and infrastructure, Abdullah said.
"We are confident that the East Coast people, known for their determination and perseverance, can take up the opportunities arising from the projects to be implemented," he said. The Prime Minister said through the ECER, the government has targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the East Coast at 7.2 percent annually up to 2020 and average household income to be raised from RM2,267 in 2005 to RM5,227 in 12 years with implementation of the plan.
"For all the targets, I am confident and believe we can achieve through the development plan for the region which covers 51 percent of Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Abdullah said in bringing development to the region, the government will continue to preserve the culture and heritage of the East Coast.
He said each state will have its own development theme under the ECER, with Terengganu as the gateway for tourism and education, Kelantan as the trading and human capital development centre, and Pahang as the manufacturing and logistics hub.
Under the development plan, the number of jobs created will increase from 1.4 million currently to almost two million by 2020 with expanding business opportunities to raise the incomes of the people, he said.
The Prime Minister said to ensure the success of the ECER, the government will focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
Abdullah also said that the government will continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 percent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, will be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food, he said.
The prime minister said that through the ECER, the government had targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the East Coast at 7.2 per cent annually up to 2020 and average household income to be raised from RM2,267 in 2005 to RM5,227 in 12 years with implementation of the plan.
"For all the targets, I am confident and believe we can achieve through the development plan for the region which covers 51 per cent of peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Abdullah said that in bringing development to the region, the government would continue to preserve the culture and heritage of the East Coast.
Each state would have its own development theme under the ECER, with Terengganu as the gateway for tourism and education, Kelantan as the trading and human capital development centre, and Pahang as the manufacturing and logistics hub.
Under the development plan, the number of jobs created would increase from 1.4 million currently to almost two million by 2020 with expanding business opportunities to raise the incomes of the people, he said.
The prime minister said that to ensure the success of the ECER, the government would focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
He also said that the government would continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 per cent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, would be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food.
The prime minister said that to ensure the success of the ECER, the government would focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
He also said that the government would continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 per cent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, would be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food.
Abdullah said that with the strategic location of the ECER in the region, the government would support plans to provide infrastructure aimed at raising its competitiveness.
Among them was a good transport network which would play an important role in the ECER development and for this purpose, existing roads would be identified for repairs or upgrading and new roads would be built.
He added that to improve the shipping network, projects would be carried out to upgrade the ports of Kemaman and Kuantan.
The government was also committed to implementing poverty eradication programmes in the region, particularly hardcore poverty.
Among them were five agropolitan projects whaich were expected to make use of the opportunities to benefit about 14,000 poor families in the East Coast, he said.
He called on people from all strata of society in the East Coast to make use of the opportunities arising from the development for the ECER to succeed.
Abdullah said the government planned to make Kuala Terengganu a centre for information communication technology (ICT) excellence with the setting up of a global animation centre.
The government, he said, would also establish an international digital business exchange at Batu Rakit which will act as the prime Internet exchange for the region.
At today’s ceremony, Abdullah also launched the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) and the Garden of Knowledge.
Under the plan, KTCC will be developed as a centre for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) and a gateway to the ECER while the Garden of Knowledge in Besut will aim to attract students from around the world as a centre of excellence for education and edutourism.
— BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=292842
Bernama.com Malaysian National News Agency
RM6 Bln Allocation For High Impact Projects In ECER Business
October 29, 2007 14:36 PM
KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 29 (Bernama) — Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday announced an allocation of RM6 billion for high impact projects to be implemented in the opening phase of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).
The Prime Minister said the allocation would be made under a review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) programmes as well as additional allocations during the mid-term review of the 9MP.
"This (allocation) shows the government’s commitment to realise the efforts in bringing development to the ECER in line with the master plan," he said at the launch of the ECER for Terengganu at Taman Awam Batu Burok here today.
He was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah. Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, and Kelantan State Exco Member Datuk Husam Musa, who represented Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
The ECER, involving an investment of RM112 billion, is the third economic region to be launched by the Prime Minister this year, following the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
An initiative of national oil and gas corporation Petronas, the ECER covers Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and the Mersing district in Johor, taking up 66,736 square kilometres or 51 percent of Peninsular Malaysia.
The five major economic thrusts — tourism ; oil, gas and petrochemical ; manufacturing, agriculture ; and education — will be given priority under the ECER plan to raise the incomes and quality of life of about 3.9 million people in the region.
Abdullah also announced the setting up of the ECER Development Council to carry out projects and programmes which have been identified.
He said the council’s main objectives are to expedite and facilitate the development process in the region in a progressive, effective and balanced manner.
"It will also promote the region as a prime destination for business, investment and tourism," he added.
Abdullah said in developing the ECER, it was important to give attention to the implementation, which must move at a rapid pace.
"I want all the parties concerned to be ready to serve the people," he said.
The Prime Minister said the government will provide incentive packages and supporting grants to promote development of the sectors and initiatives identified under the ECER master plan.
Abdullah said as a whole, the ECER plan targeted 227 projects valued at RM112 billion in 12 years to make the region more progressive and dynamic.
He said of the total, the federal government is expected to take up 39 percent while government-linked companies (GLCs) will be involved in 14 percent.
Another 20 percent will come from the private sector and the remaining 27 percent will be from private finance initiatives (PFI).
Up to 43 percent of the overall investment in the ECER will be allocated to improve communications facilities and infrastructure, Abdullah said.
"We are confident that the East Coast people, known for their determination and perseverance, can take up the opportunities arising from the projects to be implemented," he said. The Prime Minister said through the ECER, the government has targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the East Coast at 7.2 percent annually up to 2020 and average household income to be raised from RM2,267 in 2005 to RM5,227 in 12 years with implementation of the plan.
"For all the targets, I am confident and believe we can achieve through the development plan for the region which covers 51 percent of Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Abdullah said in bringing development to the region, the government will continue to preserve the culture and heritage of the East Coast.
He said each state will have its own development theme under the ECER, with Terengganu as the gateway for tourism and education, Kelantan as the trading and human capital development centre, and Pahang as the manufacturing and logistics hub.
Under the development plan, the number of jobs created will increase from 1.4 million currently to almost two million by 2020 with expanding business opportunities to raise the incomes of the people, he said.
The Prime Minister said to ensure the success of the ECER, the government will focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
Abdullah also said that the government will continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 percent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, will be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food, he said.
The prime minister said that through the ECER, the government had targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the East Coast at 7.2 per cent annually up to 2020 and average household income to be raised from RM2,267 in 2005 to RM5,227 in 12 years with implementation of the plan.
"For all the targets, I am confident and believe we can achieve through the development plan for the region which covers 51 per cent of peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Abdullah said that in bringing development to the region, the government would continue to preserve the culture and heritage of the East Coast.
Each state would have its own development theme under the ECER, with Terengganu as the gateway for tourism and education, Kelantan as the trading and human capital development centre, and Pahang as the manufacturing and logistics hub.
Under the development plan, the number of jobs created would increase from 1.4 million currently to almost two million by 2020 with expanding business opportunities to raise the incomes of the people, he said.
The prime minister said that to ensure the success of the ECER, the government would focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
He also said that the government would continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 per cent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, would be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food.
The prime minister said that to ensure the success of the ECER, the government would focus on developing the economic sector on a cluster basis under the five major economic thrusts.
He also said that the government would continue to attract investors to set up hotels and holiday resorts of international standard on the East Coast beaches.
"We expect such efforts to attract 7.4 million foreign tourists and 21.4 million local tourists by 2020," he said.
In addition, the manufacturing sector will be given priority as it is expected to contribute 29 per cent of the region’s GDP by 2020, Abdullah said.
Attention, he said, would be given to industries based on palm oil, wood and rubber as well as other agricultural produce for the production of oleochemicals, furniture, gloves and halal food.
Abdullah said that with the strategic location of the ECER in the region, the government would support plans to provide infrastructure aimed at raising its competitiveness.
Among them was a good transport network which would play an important role in the ECER development and for this purpose, existing roads would be identified for repairs or upgrading and new roads would be built.
He added that to improve the shipping network, projects would be carried out to upgrade the ports of Kemaman and Kuantan.
The government was also committed to implementing poverty eradication programmes in the region, particularly hardcore poverty.
Among them were five agropolitan projects whaich were expected to make use of the opportunities to benefit about 14,000 poor families in the East Coast, he said.
He called on people from all strata of society in the East Coast to make use of the opportunities arising from the development for the ECER to succeed.
Abdullah said the government planned to make Kuala Terengganu a centre for information communication technology (ICT) excellence with the setting up of a global animation centre.
The government, he said, would also establish an international digital business exchange at Batu Rakit which will act as the prime Internet exchange for the region.
At today’s ceremony, Abdullah also launched the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) and the Garden of Knowledge.
Under the plan, KTCC will be developed as a centre for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) and a gateway to the ECER while the Garden of Knowledge in Besut will aim to attract students from around the world as a centre of excellence for education and edutourism.
— BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=292842
ECER - East Coast Economic Region
This blog is created with the point that the Malaysian government has initiated economic regions in states of Malaysia. My point of coverage would be the East Coast Economic Region or ECER.
The name ECER 2020 is because ECER will be based on twelve years development.. 2008 - 2020 which is the year that Malaysia aims to become developed country status. 12 years is a long time and therefore, it would be interesting to check on ECER developments.
The name ECER 2020 is because ECER will be based on twelve years development.. 2008 - 2020 which is the year that Malaysia aims to become developed country status. 12 years is a long time and therefore, it would be interesting to check on ECER developments.
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