“We will continue to pursue a development agenda which is inclusive and sustainable, including the economic empowerment of the Bumiputera community.”

ECERDC, Terengganu govt to continue to pursue Bumiputera economic empowerment agenda in state

THE East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) and the Terengganu government continues to drive the Bumiputera economic empowerment agenda.

Up until last month, 72 projects worth RM3.9 billion and developed by Bumiputera companies had received incentives and support from ECERDC and the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju).

These projects have helped ac- celerate the state’s socio-economic growth by creating more than 7,730 jobs.

Of this total, 56 projects focusing in the manufacturing and services sectors, with investments amounting to RM977.2 million between 2012 and this year, have been approved for RM136.5 million in financing assistance through the Dana Mudahcara TERAJU@ECER.

“In line with the National Transformation Agenda, we will continue to pursue a development agenda that is inclusive and sustainable, including the economic empowerment of the Bumiputera community,” said ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John.

Bumiputera entrepreneurs’ achievements have been one of the core enablers of the socioeconomic transformation in Terengganu,” he said after the ECER Implementation and Coordination Committee meeting yesterday, which was chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

Between 2007 and last month, ECER secured RM29.7 billion in domestic and foreign investments, which in turn created more than 30,800 jobs.

Terengganu’s two industrial parks developed by ECERDC have cumulatively attracted RM9.8 billion in private investments, which in turn created close to 12,000 jobs.

The Kemaman Heavy Industry Park has secured RM5 billion in investments to date, including from Japan-based Tosoh Corp, while the Kertih Biopolymer Park sealed RM4.8 billion in investment from firms from South Korea, France, the United States and Taiwan.

More than 20,920 people have directly benefited from ECER’s programmes, of which 90 per cent are from the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group and 96 per cent are from the Bumiputera community.

Development in Terengganu is also set to intensify with the construction of the East Coast Rail Line project.

The 600km rail project will enhance connectivity and mobility across the state. It will also link the state to Kuantan Port in Pahang and Port Klang in Selangor through Kuala Lumpur.