Dr M to be present at two significant MoU signings during official visit to China

BEIJING: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is among two significant documents to be signed during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's official visit to China.

The MoU will see Malaysia and China enhancing cooperation in the development of industrial parks, infrastructure, logistics hubs and transit-oriented developments pursuant to the project.

Nuryante Mohd Yazid, chargé d'Affaires at the Malaysian Embassy to China, said the MoU would be signed by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and China Communication Construction Company (CCCC).

However, she did not reveal any details of the document.

CCCC, a China state-owned company, is the main contractor for the RM44bil project linking the east and west coasts of peninsular Malaysia.

The other MoU will be about the enhancement of palm oil trade and cooperation between the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuff, Native Products and Animal By-products (CFNA).

"The signing ceremony will be witnessed by the Malaysian Prime Minister and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday (April 25)," she told reporters at a curtain raiser to Dr Mahathir's trip here.

Nuryante added that Dr Mahathir would be leading a large ministerial delegation to the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation here, comprising six ministers and a mentri besar.

They are Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (Foreign Minister), Ignatius Darell Leiking (International Trade and Industry Minister), Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Economic Affairs Minister), Anthony Loke (Transport Minister), Datuk Salahuddin Ayub (Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister) and Zuraida Kamaruddin (Housing and Local Government Minister), as well as Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Nuryante said some of the ministers would speak at the event, to be held from Thursday to Saturday.

"Azmin will speak on policy connectivity at a thematic forum and Loke will talk about infrastructure connectivity, while Mukhriz has been invited to the CEO Conference," she added.

She said this would be Dr Mahathir's second visit to China in his second stint at Prime Minister.

"This visit by Dr Mahathir's is significant (as it will) strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and China.

"It will also open up more opportunities for the country to attract foreign investment," she said.

Dr Mahathir and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali are expected to arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport here Wednesday (April 24) night for an official four-day visit.