ECER council targets RM2bil investment

5/12/2011 — The Star
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) is taking part in the inaugural Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2011 on May 10-12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to further promote the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) among foreign investors, especially those from the Gulf Cooperation Coundl (GCC) countries.
The council aims to attract RM2bil worth of investment, especially from the Middle East through AIM 2011 and several other programmes.
The planned projects in ECER include the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster, Herbal Biotech Product Cluster, Gambang Halal Park, Pasir Mas Halal Park, Kuantan Port and Kertih Polymer Park.
Investors can also explore the opportunities in ECER tourism projects such as the Mainland Coastal Tourism Development in Pantai Sepat, Cherating and Kijal.
ECER will be the main participant from Malaysia to be represented at AIM 2011. The three-day event is an initiative by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, including several heads of states, government officials and top investors from 76 countries.
“Through ECERDC’s participation in AIM 2011, we aim to increase the awareness on ECER and the investment opportunities that are available in the region among the global investors, especially from GCC nations,” said ECERDC CEO Datuk Jebasingam Issace John in a statement.
He said ECER’s key strengths lied in its strong resources endowment, competitive land cost, incentives and cost of doing business, strong potential for property development and lower cost of living.
Prior to AIM 2011, the council has already engaged with several potential investors from the GCC countries including Al Dharfa Holdings Abu Dhabi, Al Aroud Group Al-Ain International Group, Al Hameed Enterprise and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.