Abdullah: Speed Up Implementation Of ECER Projects

December 02, 2008 13:30 PM

Abdullah: Speed Up Implementation Of ECER Projects

KEMAMAN, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the projects in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) to be speeded up.

Abdullah said cooperation among the public, private sectors and banking institutions was important to ensure the projects were realised fast so that the rakyat would benefit.

"Focus on the opportunities available, find out what programmes that could be implemented, reduce the implementation time and build the infrastructure to improve the agro, technology, tourism and maritime sectors," he said at the opening of the seminar on "Making ECER a reality -- A Joint Commitment" here Tuesday.

Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, Menteri Besar of Pahang Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, representative of Kelantan Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Husam Musa, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Abdullah said efforts must also be made to develop human resources and conduct effective training programmes to ensure there were enough skilled manpower for the needs of the projects in the ECER.

He said related government agencies also needed to ensure there was no delay in the launch of the ECER projects because it would affect the costs later.

"The private sector is a catalyst of economic growth while the public sector still has a role to play.

"So implement the policy properly and if the projects need quick approval get it done fast. If there is a delay the costs will increase," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdullah wanted the seminar participants to come up with ideas which could help in the implementation of ECER projects.

Over 400 participants from the public and private sectors, academicians, non-governmental organisations attended the two-day seminar.

The seminar aims to examine critically the various aspects of the implementation of the ECER and offer constructive proposals.

-- BERNAMA