ECERDC hits RM6.4bil investments in first half of 2025
In a statement, ECERDC said these realised investments are part of a broader pipeline of RM10.4 billion in committed investments, enabling ECERDC to exceed its annual investment target of RM10 billion for 2025.
According to the council, the strong performance is expected to create 2,844 job opportunities across the region.
It said the manufacturing sector is the main contributor, accounting for 59 per cent of total investments.
Pahang led with realised investments worth RM4 billion, followed by Terengganu with RM1.3 billion and Kelantan with RM1.1 billion, while Johor saw investments in agriculture amounting to RM13.3 million from the development of a biocompost facility in Mersing.
Key realised investments in the first six months of 2025 include a RM1 billion integrated oil refinery plant, a RM950 million tourism development, and a RM667 million facility to produce maleic anhydride in Pahang.
In Kelantan, an RM1 billion 84-megawatt mini hydroelectric plant is being developed, while Terengganu secured an RM638 million investment for the processing of pulverised quartz.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said ECERDC continues to play a vital role in accelerating inclusive growth across the east coast region.
"The investments secured signal that ECER remains a high-potential growth corridor for Malaysia.
"These efforts are aligned with our national commitment to balanced regional development, ensuring that all Malaysians benefit from economic progress," he said after chairing the first ECER Council Meeting for 2025 in Putrajaya today.
In tandem with its investment success, ECERDC said it is completing eight strategic and impactful projects in 2025, in line with the strategic thrusts outlined under the ECER Development Plan.
Under the development plan, to enhance food security, ECERDC said it has completed the Goat Milk Collection Centres in Ketereh and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan (April 2025) and is undertaking the final stages of the Jemaluang Dairy Valley in Johor to strengthen the region's agro-based value chains.
Supporting the development of new tourism destinations, the council said several projects are on track for delivery, including the Cherating Turtle Information and Conservation Centre in Pahang (April 2025), the Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) Promenade Phase 1, the Pulau Pemanggil Jetty in Mersing, and upgrading works on the access road to Johor's Endau Rompin National Park from Kahang to Sungai Emas.
This includes the construction of the Palekbang–Kota Bharu Bridge, a catalytic project aimed at improving cross-river connectivity and unlocking economic opportunities in Kelantan, which began earlier this year and is progressing well.
Under the high-value manufacturing and hard-to-abate thrust, ECERDC said it is strengthening the industrial ecosystem through the expansion of Kerteh Biopolymer Park (KBP) in Terengganu, supporting industries such as biopolymer, petrochemical, and advanced materials.
It said the Phase 4A Package 1 was completed in 2024, while the SME Complex Phase 1B is nearing completion by mid-2025, and Phase 4A Package 2 is currently underway.
ECERDC said the project is expected to attract RM4.4 billion in investments by 2029.
In enhancing regional connectivity, the Kuala Terengganu Airport Road (Package 2) is under development to improve access and support the region's tourism and logistics ecosystems.
ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Baidzawi Che Mat said these strategic developments are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth across ECER.
"By strengthening key industrial ecosystems, improving accessibility, and supporting community-focused initiatives, we are enhancing the region's appeal to investors while delivering meaningful improvements to local communities," it added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Plantations hold steady, await catalyst
PETALING JAYA: Analysts are mostly neutral on the plantation sector, projecting the crude palm oil (CPO) prices to trade between RM3,800 and RM4,200 per tonne in the second half of this year (2H25). According to Kenanga Research, palm oil prices are expected to stay firm through a good 2025 season, underpinned by a global edible oil supply deficit this year, which may persist into 2026. Cost pressures should also stay manageable, thanks to firm selling prices, the research house said in a note to clients yesterday. While valuations appear to have bottomed out and are not excessive, Kenanga Research noted that 'there is no strong upside catalyst either.' It pointed out that edible oil demand remains visible and resilient, with a trend-line growth of 3% to 4% yearly. Meanwhile, supply is expected to grow by only 2% to 3% over 2025 to 2026. As a result, edible oil prices, including palm oil, will likely stay sufficiently firm. Many pure upstream players have also turned net cash, including Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd , Ta Ann Holdings Bhd , TSH Resources Bhd and United Malacca Bhd . 'Hence, decent to good dividend payouts can be expected, unless they embark on merger and acquisition (M&A) activities,' it added. The research house expects non-integrated planters to increasingly become dividend-yield plays. 'For larger integrated players, we expect more M&A or diversification into non-plantation businesses – hence, (they are) likely to stay net borrowers. 'Even so, as the balance sheets of integrated players such as IOI Corp Bhd , Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and SD Guthrie Bhd are backed by valuable landbank, their current gearing levels should not be a key concern to investors,' Kenanga Research pointed out. It added that firm CPO and strong palm kernel selling prices are expected to help absorb most of the cost upticks in 2025. As a result, upstream margins are expected to stay healthy. Altogether, 2025 margins should stay robust, thanks to upstream operations. Kenanga Research named IOI, with a target price of RM4.10 per share, as its big-cap pick, citing its sector-leading return on equity and declining gearing, which provides greater headroom for M&A. Among pure upstream players, Hap Seng Plantations, with a target price of RM2.40, still offers good, defensive upstream exposure, supported by over RM500mil in net cash. For the longer term, United Malacca – with a target price of RM6 – should see rising profits from newly maturing estates, while TSH – with a target price of RM1.30 – is expanding its planted area by 25% to 30% over the next three to five years. Genting Plantations Bhd with a target price of RM5.70, should also see a stronger 2Q25 contribution from its newly opened Jakarta Premium Outlet. Meanwhile, CGS International Research (CGSI Research) has lifted its CPO price forecast to RM4,200 per tonne for 2025. In a report, the research house noted that upstream players stand to benefit the most from high CPO prices. 'Our earnings sensitivity analysis shows that Genting Plantations, SD Guthrie and Hap Seng Plantations deliver the strongest earnings uplift with every 5% rise in CPO price,' it noted. With the current CPO rally starting early June 2025 driven by macro and policy shocks, CGSI Research expects upstream-focused names to benefit more significantly. 'After factoring in our revised CPO price assumption, accounting for forward commitments and softer palm kernel prices, our earnings revisions suggest Hap Seng Plantations, SD Guthrie and Ta Ann are the biggest beneficiaries from higher CPO prices under our coverage,' the research house highlighted. CGSI Research also recommended investors seeking defensive plays to accumulate agribusiness companies with high dividend yields, such as Hap Seng Plantations and Ta Ann, citing more stable earnings compared to other sectors.
Malaysian Reserve
9 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Government gives priority to projects that benefit the rakyat, says PM Anwar
ROME — The MADANI Government is willing to take hard and sometimes unpopular decisions to ensure development and projects that benefit the rakyat can be implemented, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is here on a three-day working visit, said despite criticism over government's move to implement certain policies such as subsidy rationalisation or tariff, they needed to be carried out for the benefit of the people. 'All governments, all prime ministers in the past talk about taking away subsidies from foreigners, but none took the right action,' he said at the Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Diaspora Malaysia here tonight (Tuesday, July 1). The premier said various actions taken by the government, including subsidies and tax rationalisations were implemented to build more schools, universities and hospitals that will help the masses. During the dinner, Anwar also shared that various programmes and policies are being undertaken by his government to ensure the country remains competitive. 'To our diaspora in Italy, you are our ambassadors and our asset. You have a big role to play in bringing Malayia into the international platform. 'Therefore, I leave a message for you to continue to seize every opportunity and space to strengthen your knowledge, skills and networks in order to contribute back to the homeland, good governance,' he said. Also present at the dinner were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy Datuk Zahid Rastam, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. — BERNAMA
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia and Italy boost economic ties with 100+ companies in roundtable
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani jointly chaired the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable, gathering more than 100 companies from both nations. The event, held in Rome, included representatives from manufacturing, services, trade, government agencies, and industry bodies, signaling a mutual push for stronger economic collaboration. Anwar reiterated Malaysia's dedication to free and open trade as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth. He stated, 'In an increasingly challenging global landscape, international stability and peace form the basis of economic prosperity and cross-border synergy, which the business community must fully leverage.' The prime minister noted Italy's confidence in Malaysia's economic policies, governance efficiency, and competitiveness as an investment hub. He emphasised the potential for innovation-driven partnerships in renewable energy, carbon capture, defence, digital economy, aerospace, and high-tech industries.
