BRI projects bring progress in Malaysia – official

KUALA LUMPUR: Several projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have led to greater development and economic progress in Malaysian Pahang, the official said.

These projects have not only created opportunities for the local workforce, but have also had a positive impact on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia since their implementation a decade ago, Pahang State Chief Minister Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency.

Projects include the Malaysian-Chinese Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), especially Alliance Steel (M) Sdn. Bhd. the plant located in the park and the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL), a mega-railway project in Malaysia being built by China Communications Construction Co., Van Rosdy said, noting that they have attracted much-needed investment in the state.

“MCKIP offers employment opportunities for a professional and skilled workforce in Pahang. This is a great opportunity, especially for young people. Now they can work locally instead of moving to another state to find the right industries for them.” He said.

“Young people in Pahang can benefit from the existence of this park and also be the pioneers of this economic transformation in Pahang state,” he said, adding that these projects have benefited the local workforce by offering higher wages and improving the socio-economic position. from those working there.

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Van Rosdy, who was sworn in in 2018, said the state has taken steps under his administration to support these projects, especially with regard to supplying water to the Alliance Steel plant. “This is being handled by the Pahang Berhad Water Authority and it is estimated that 90 million liters per day will be sent to MCKIP and the Gebeng Industrial Zone,” he said.

“In addition to improving conditions around the park, the Pahang state government also has a labor council that is responsible for meeting local labor requirements in line with investor demands,” he said.

Van Rosdy also said that Kuantan Port, upgraded with a deep water terminal that is already linked to MCKIP and will be linked to ECRL, will better connect industry players and support the entire industrial supply chain.

“Once completed, this new ECRL will improve transport connectivity and attract more investors to expand their business in Pahang. The routes for these railways will connect the port of Kuantan and the port of Klang in Selangor, which will increase freight traffic in both ports,” he said.