PM Najib talks infrastructure business in India

Several Malaysian road builders are currently bidding for more than 3,000 km of state road projects in Rajasthan, said Prime Minister Najib Razak who is on a six-day visit since 30 March 2017.

“We hope their bids will be considered favourably as the Malaysian bidders represent the opportunity to add significant value through their use of technology and innovation, through the transfer of knowledge and skills, favourable financing conditions, and the sharing of expertise and experience,” he said.

Najib pointed out that the Malaysian construction companies had more than two decades of history of participating in projects in India, having completed 98 projects worth US$4.64 billion between 1996 and 2016.

“In fact, India is the country with the largest number of projects carried out by Malaysian contractors,” Bernama news agency quoted Najib as saying during a “Briefing and Discussion On Project and Investment Opportunities In Rajasthan”, in Jaipur on 2 April.

Najib highlighted Malaysian companies participation in Indian projects, including UEM Builders Bhd, which completed 700 km of roads and highways in more than 10 states. IJM Corporation Bhd and Scomi Group were among other contractors having handled some of the big ticket-projects in India.

Malaysia’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) had a 2015 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Public Works Department of Rajasthan to facilitate the Malaysian companies participation in the state’s road projects.

The CIDB has also signed six MoUs with various strategic organisations in New Delhi, focusing on different areas of construction including rail, water treatment, riverfront development, highways, smart cities, tunnels and urban transportation.

Najib assured his government’s support for Malaysian companies participation in Indian projects.

In fact, he said the government had appointed Zohari Akob, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Works, to be the Nodal officer to facilitate all matters relating to Malaysian participation in India’s development projects.

Najib’s delegation on visit to India included Works Minister Fadillah Yusof, Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Special Envoy to India and South Asia on Infrastructure, S. Samy Vellu and Malaysia’s High Commissioner to India, Hidayat Abdul Hamid. fii-news.com