Shandong's Eco-City To Boost ASEAN Trade In North China

BEIJING, May 19 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN International Eco-City, a Malaysian-led mega project, would boost growth for ASEAN trade to the north of China, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Wee Ka Siong, in a statement. Located in Qihe district, a satellite town in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, Eco-City is the latest project by famed industrialist Lim Gait Tong of Farlim Group Bhd, who has invested US$2.29 billion (15 billion yuan) into the venture. Lim, who is chairman and chief executive officer of the Farlim Group, also helms HuaZong, the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia, as its honorary president. In the same statement, Lim Chuan Boon, Farlim Group's general manager for China, said the 1,000-hectare (ha) mega project would be built based on the needs of the ASEAN business community. "Our facilities include an ASEAN International Cultural Centre, five-star resort spa, conference centres, healthcare facilities, retirement home, luxury condos and sports facilities," he said. He said this during a visit by a delegation of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), led by Wee's political secretary Lawrence Low. Chuan Boon said the mega project would kick off with the ASEAN Window portion, a massive 17.3ha project costing US$367.38 million (RM1.5 billion). As the area has a Muslim-majority population, a halal hub centre is also being planned as part of Eco-City, allowing Malaysians to tap into the huge halal market there. The halal hub will be a certification centre for all manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the north of China, as well as a wholesale or distribution hub for ASEAN and China halal products. --BERNAMA