Economic slowdown will not hurt ECER

2009/01/14

Economic slowdown will not hurt ECER

BENTONG: Projects of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will not be affected by the economic slowdown.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government wanted the initiative to proceed smoothly as it would benefit those living within ECER, including those in remote areas.

The ECER development corridor covers Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and Mersing district in Johor.

Under the midterm review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Abdullah said 107 projects worth RM2.6 billion had been identified in the ECER.

Forty-eight of the projects commenced last year while 29 would begin in June. Another 22 projects would start by the end of the year followed by eight more early next year.

Abdullah said the ECER development council had also agreed to set up a one-stop centre to fast track applications and approvals for new investments.

"The main centre will be in Kuala Lumpur with branch offices in each participating state," he said after chairing the third ECER council meeting at the district office here yesterday.

Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and ECER development council chief executive officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John.

- NST Online -