Melaka International Cruise Terminal expected to attract billions into state, says CM

MELAKA: The RM682mil International Cruise Terminal (MICT), which is part of the Melaka Gateway project, is one of three seaports that expected to attract billions of ringgit into state coffers, says the Chief Minister.

Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali said the state expects an investment of RM100bil pouring into the three international ports.

"These three ports are projected to create various employment opportunities as well as generate revenues for the state," he said after launching the "Melakaku Maju Jaya" seminar at Ayer Keroh here Tuesday (Aug 25).

Sulaiman said the construction of the Kuala Linggi Port is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021 while MICT was reported to debut by the end of this year.

He said the Kuala Linggi port would manage the oil and gas sector while Tanjung Beruas is for container shipments and MICT for tourism.

Sulaiman said the state is also planning to create a new economic corridor to attract high-impact investments.

"The corridor is known as the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-Wez)," he said.

Sulaiman said M-Wez is a new economic icon for the state and is jointly developed through state and private initiatives.

He said the corridors cover 20km of reclaimed coastal land.

“M-Wez will also incorporate all the three ports.

"The state will also have a High Speed Rail (HSR) station serving the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route to promote the corridor’s economic development, ” he said.

Sulaiman added that M-Wez is one of the development projects under Melaka’s comprehensive development plan comprising short, medium and long-term plans from 2020 to 2035.