MRT to generate GNI of between RM3b and RM4b

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project looks to generate a gross national income (GNI) of between RM3 billion and RM4 billion per year, said Datuk Sri Sufri Mohd Zin in his speech at the 41st Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and International Federation of Asian & Western Pacific Contractors’ Association (IFAWPCA) convention from March 2 to 5 in Jakarta, Indonesia. “The new MRT line is expected to raise property values by an estimated RM300 million in gross development value, broaden house buyers’ choices, expand developers’ projects to new areas, increase pedestrian accessibility and improve amenities [among others],” he added. The MRT line will significantly improve rail-based public transport in the Klang Valley, and create more than 130,000 jobs in its construction. The MRT project, one of the largest under the 10th Malaysian Plan, is scheduled for completion by 2017. It will cover 51km and will have 31 stations and three provisional stations for future development. Sufri, who is MBAM vice-president and IFAWPCA chief delegate said: “Superior and well maintained infrastructure [will] attract the best talent as well as dynamic businesses seeking reliable connectivity and a high [standard] of living for its employees.” He also urged the government to quickly consider implementing other planned mega infrastructure projects such as the High Speed Rail line to Singapore, and the second and third lines of the MRT to ensure optimum and efficient use of resources. Sufri advised delegates to disseminate the knowledge gained from the convention to improve service delivery in the construction value chain. IFAWPCA promotes international fellowship and cooperation, better relationships between governments and contractors in the region, and improved working arrangements in the construction industry. Among the delegates that attended the convention were senior general manager of the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia, Megat Kamil Azmi Megat Rus Kamarani, MBAM honorary life president, Tan Sri Dr Yeoh Tiong Lay, president of Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia, Datuk Haji Mokhtar Samad and president of Sabah Builders Association Choo Kim Min. This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 07, 2014. For more information on Building and Construction seminars, please visit www.asiapacificevents.com