2/20/2009 — Press Release
The state of Pahang is set for bigger transformation with the upcoming launch of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council’s (ECERDC) state office in Kuantan.
Located at B8002 Sri Kuantan Square in Jalan Teluk Sisek, the ECERDC’s state office will be officiated by Pahang Menteri Besar, Dato’ Sri Haji Adnan Bin Haji Yaakob this February 23.
“Through this state office, the ECER will be able to accelerate the region’s economic growth more effectively, in line with the objectives of its master plan,” said Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John, CEO of ECERDC.
“The opening of the Pahang state office signifies ECERDC’s commitment in facilitating and ensuring smooth implementation of projects in the state. It will also strengthen ECERDC’s presence.”
Besides acting as ECER’s centre of transformation for Pahang, the Kuantan state office will also function as a one-stop centre to coordinate and facilitate processes for potential investors and current establishments for information on ECER projects.
It will also process applications for incentives and customized incentives before approval by the Ministry of Finance; investments for high impact projects for the consideration of the Cabinet Committee for Investments, while manufacturing licenses and expatriate posts for projects will be approved within the ECER.
Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, 45 projects have been identified under the ECER for implementation in Pahang, of which 32 are exclusive for the state, while the balance 13 are cross-border projects involving other neighboring states.
Some 24 projects commenced last year, 11 will begin by mid of this year with 7 projects to start before end 2009. A further three projects will be implemented early 2010.
The launch of the state office coincides with the first meeting of the state’s Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC), which will oversee the projects’ ground implementation.
The Pahang ICC consists of 11 members and will be headed by the Menteri Besar. Other members include ECERDC’s CEO, Pahang State Secretary and State Economic Planning Unit Director, as well as representatives of the state and federal government agencies and institutions.