KUALA LUMPUR: The developer of the Melaka Gateway project will meet with key government authorities to provide them with the latest updates.
The concessionaire of the project, KAJ Development Sdn Bhd (KAJD) said the meeting with the authorities will among others include the Transport Ministry as well as port regulator Port Klang Authority (PKA).
“We are continuing our engagements with key stakeholders such as meeting the Chief Minister of Melaka and the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP)”, said chief executive officer and founder of Melaka Gateway Datuk Michelle Ong.
In a meeting with the members of the CEP on June 29, KAJD explained that the Melaka Gateway will have a positive generational impact on the state of Melaka and the country.
This is based on the company’s viable domestic and regional business plan which embraces collaboration between the Federal government and businesses as well as the state and its people.
Envisioned as a ‘portopolis’, the 552 hectare project draws inspiration from Melaka’s historical significance as the gateway for the spice trade.
Launched in 2014, the RM43 billion Melaka Gateway project consists of three manmade islands and one natural island that includes the Melaka International Cruise Terminal, developed in partnership with US-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) on its first island.
Work on the Cruise Terminal reclamation and jetty is also halfway done and is currently earmarked for completion by third quarter of next year (2019).
Meanwhile, Pulau Melaka East 1 is to also set to become the largest private marina in South-East Asia by 2025 with cruise terminal and jetty, commercial, cultural, heritage, entertainment, lifestyle and wellness elements.
Melaka Gateway’s unique ecosystem also differs from other real estate driven projects by using an industry-led strategy, combining the best aspects of tourism, industrial and commercial elements into one location to drive the project’s viability, long-term sustainability and socio-economic benefits.
The project is estimated to create between 40,000 to 45,000 jobs over 10 years with a projected economic multiplier that is anticipated to generate RM1.188 trillion for the local economy once the project is fully completed as well as draw further local and regional investment.
“As a privately funded project, both the state and Federal government did not need to inject a single cent into the development nor provide us with any form of guarantees.
“Instead, we succeeded by forging long-term sustainable and effective partnerships between the private and public sectors to create a platform of appropriate risk allocation and value for money outcomes,” said Ong.
It is anticipated that the Melaka International Cruise Terminal will attract 2.5 million tourists a year.
In June 2017, Melaka Gateway appointed SinoHydro Limited (M) Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of PowerChina International as its Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPC) contractor .
“PowerChina are our contractors and our investors are from Miami (US), Holland, Germany, Middle-East, and Korea, contributing billions in foreign direct investment (FDI). Our investors are supportive of our vision for Melaka Gateway,” she said.
Ong also said that part of the uniqueness of Melaka Gateway will be the incorporation and promotion of heritage and cultural sustainability.
“We are fully committed towards the adoption of a stakeholder engagement programme that will explore the aspirations and concerns of nearby communities, regulatory bodies and government agencies,” she said.
Ong said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Melaka Gateway will also be looking into programmes that will respect, protect and support the sustainable conservation of Melaka’s distinctive local communities close to the project site.
“Melaka Gateway is a catalyst project by Malaysians, for Malaysians,” she said.