Melaka Gateway, Maritime Industrial Park Important Cooperation Models, Says China's Envoy

MELAKA (Malaysia), Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Gateway and Maritime Industrial Park projects in Pulau Melaka of Melaka state are important cooperation models for countries interested in taking part in China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Route initiative, said Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang. Huang said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wished that the two projects could serve as models for cooperation between China and Malaysia, thus becoming an ideal model for cooperation among countries in the Silk Route initiative. "The projects will help make the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route a dream come true. "Furthermore, they can be important catalysts for common peaceful development and prosperity of our nations and peoples," he said at the Melaka Gateway Port inaugural foundation laying ceremony at Pulau Melaka here Wednesday. Malaysia's Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron and Huang officiated the ceremony. Melaka Gateway Port, an important component of the Maritime Industrial Park project, is a deep sea port with main design functioning as a liquid cargo terminal. Costing US$1.91 billion (RM8 billion), it is expected to be completed in 2019. Huang said Melaka has long served as an important port especially during the time of Admiral Zheng He and it was time again for the state to play a crucial role in maritime trade and economy. "Economic activities in South-East Asia are growing and we need more ports, especially in Malaysia and nearby countries, to cater to the needs of these economic activities," he said. He said the cooperation between Guangdong province in China and Melaka will benefit the people of the two cities especially in economic development. "The cooperation will tightly bond our people and I expect more historic moments soon that will benefit the peoples of China and Malaysia," he said. Meanwhile, Liow said the new port would not compromise Port Klang's activities as each port was designed with specific functions. "We don't have overhaul and maintenance services at Port Klang as the port is designed for freight shipping and management purpose whereas Melaka Gateway Port is planned for a multi-functioal role," he said. Liow said more ports were needed to cater to the needs of economic activities in Southeast Asia, expected to reach US$119.78 billion (RM500 billion) in value over the next five years. --BERNAMA