LABUAN EXPECTS MARINE, TOURISM PROJECTS TO KICK OFF

LABUAN, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad has hinted that at least one or two projects in the marine (fisheries) and tourism-related industries were expected to kick off in Labuan this year.

He said the private partnerships for the marine and tourism projects would involve investors from South Korea, China and Japan.

“There has been discussions over the project proposals, and we hope at least one or two projects in the fisheries and tourism sectors will take off the ground this year, with trickle down effects on the people and the island.

“We will facilitate whatever the requirements may be to ensure the projects are successfully implemented.

“We are looking at areas which we can fully explore for investment potentials such as in the marine and tourism sectors, either through government initiatives or private partnership,” he told reporters after presenting appointment letters to village heads and the people’s representative council chiefs here today.

Meanwhile, on the RM8 billion Kuraman Island mega project, Khalid said a series of discussions were held with the Marine Park Department over the island’s surrounding coral reef and its marine eco-system.

“We can still develop the island, as we feel the project has economic spillover effects for the people, but the Marine Park Department has its own views on the impact of the project on the island’s marine eco-system,” he said.

Khalid was optimistic that any investors keen to develop the island would take good care of the island’s surrounding areas due to its importance as a tourist attraction.

“We are finding ways and means to see that the development takes off, with strict monitoring on the island’s marine eco-system,” he said.

In November, Bernama reported that a Chinese investor was keen to invest RM8 billion to develop an international island resort and marina destination off Kuraman Island, creating 10,000 jobs for Labuan which has been heavily dependent on oil and gas.

If everything falls into place, construction of the mammoth 147 hectares multi-hotel, residential and commercial project would begin early next year.

-- BERNAMA