KUALA LUMPUR, SEPTEMBER 8: The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is eyeing a bigger share of Chinese investments as it further promotes the vast business opportunities that are available in the Region during the Malaysia-China Entrepreneur Conference (MCEC) 2012 held in Bandar Sunway today.
ECER is the anchor economic corridor during the one-day conference where it plans to build strong brand awareness, increase business networking and invite investors from China together with the local Chinese business community to invest in the Region.
Organised by the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), the conference was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Y.B. Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John in a statement today said ECERDC’s participation at MCEC 2012 was also aimed at stimulating further interest in the 1,500 acres Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) that was announced earlier this year.
ECER’s participation is also a precursor to the MCKIP road show which will take place at the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2012 in Nanning from September 21-25.
“MCEC 2012 is a suitable platform to promote MCKIP and ECER to potential local and international Chinese investors as it will be attended by about 1,000 participants, including more than 300 participants from China comprising government officials and entrepreneurs,” Dato’ Issace said.
During the conference, ECERDC’s General Manager for Investment Management, Zamri Ahmad will be giving a presentation on “ECER Malaysia – Your Investment Gateway to ASEAN and Asia Pacific Region”. In addition to MCKIP, other key projects in ECER that are being promoted include Gambang Halal Park, Palm Oil Industrial Cluster and Kertih BioPolymer Park, among others.
Dato’ Issace added that with so many regional corridors and Special Economic Zones being developed all over the world, it is imperative for ECER to distinguish itself from the rest.
“We will be leveraging on ECER’s strategic positioning as the ideal investment gateway to the ASEAN and Asia Pacific markets, which have a combined population of 4 billion and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$17 trillion. Moreover, this is a good opportunity for ECERDC to raise awareness among China investors on the investment opportunities that are available in the Region,” he said.
In addition to its rich natural resources, as well as good infrastructure and connectivity, another advantage offered by ECER is its attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered to investors.
In 2011, ECER secured a RM1.8 billion investment commitment from Eastern Steel, a joint venture company between China Shougang Group and Hiap Teck Venture Berhad, which plans to build an integrated steel mill in the Kemaman Heavy Industrial Park.
Dato’ Issace said MCEC 2012 also serves as an excellent platform for ECERDC’s investment management team to have multiple engagements with local Chinese business leaders as well as entrepreneurs from ASEAN countries.
“We hope to attract new investors from MCEC 2012 to further boost the total investment committed in ECER which amounted to RM32.7 billion between the period of 2007 and June 2012,” concluded Dato’ Issace.