BEIJING, China: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a 620km high-impact project under the 11th Malaysia Plan, will be built and funded by China, Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah confirmed today. The EPC contract will be awarded to China Communication Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) while the financing agreement will be with Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM). “The Chinese investment in Malaysia will open up smaller towns like Mentakab, Dungun, and going up to Tumpat,” Mohd Irwan said. Mohd Irwan said the decision to seek financing from China was due to the favourable terms offered. Mohd Irwan said the government hopes to finalise the ECRL by end of this year so that construction on the project can start in early 2017.

Source: New Strait Times October 31, 2016 07:41 UTC