M`SIAN PM WANTS FASTER IMPLEMENTATION OF ECER PROJECTS

KEMAMAN (Malaysia), Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
wants the projects in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) to be speeded up.

He said cooperation among the public, private sectors and banking
institutions was important to ensure the projects were realised fast so that the
people would benefit.

"Focus on the opportunities available, find out what programmes that could
be implemented, reduce the implementation time and build the infrastructure to
improve the agro, technology, tourism and maritime sectors," he said at the
opening of a seminar on "Making ECER a reality -- A Joint Commitment" here
Tuesday.

Abdullah said efforts must also be made to develop human resources and
conduct effective training programmes to ensure there were enough skilled
manpower for the needs of the projects in the ECER.

He said related government agencies also need to ensure there was no delay
in the launch of the ECER projects because it would affect the costs later.

"The private sector is a catalyst of economic growth while the public
sector still has a role to play.

"So implement the policy properly and if the projects need quick approval
get it done fast. If there is a delay the costs will increase," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdullah wants the seminar participants to come up with ideas
which could help in the implementation of the ECER projects.

Over 400 participants from the public and private sectors, academicians,
non-governmental organisations attended the two-day seminar.

The seminar aims to examine critically the various aspects of the
implementation of the ECER and offer constructive proposals.

The ECER is a new economic development corridor covering Malaysia's east
coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang as well as the north of Mersing
district of Johor state.
-- BERNAMA