Terengganu to Develop Tourism as Backbone of Economy

4/9/2009 — BERNAMA
The Terengganu government will make the tourism sector as the backbone of its economic development, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said today.
He said the state could no longer depend on its oil and gas reserves because these two commodities would eventually dry up.
“In view of the current economic uncertainty, it is clear that we cannot depend too much on the oil and gas industry especially after the recent dip in the price of these commodities.”
He said this at a media briefing on the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) development for Terengganu, here today.
Also present was ECERDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John.
Ahmad said the government should provide sufficient room for the tourism sector to progress by developing its natural attractions like the lakes, islands and beaches using the ECER-provided fund.
“Following our recent discussion with Firefly, the airline has agreed to make reciprocal direct flights from Singapore to Terengganu beginning June,” he said.
He said the government had also identified several other airlines especially from China to make direct flights to the state.
For promotion purposes, Ahmad said several billboards featuring the islands, lakes and beaches in the state would also be installed at the KL International Airport (KLIA).
Apart from tourism sector, he said the Terengganu government would also focus on petrochemical and oil and gas-based industries at the Kertih Plastic Park (KPP) which had attracted investments worth RM195 million.
He said the KPP which was expected to be fully operational by 2015 was capable of attracting investments of up to RM2 billion and create jobs for 7,000 people.
“Even with the current economic uncertainty, the ECER projects will not have any problem and will continue to progress as they have sufficient capital and proper plans,” he added.