News Desk
DUBAI: The Melaka State Government today secured seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at Expo 2020 Dubai worth at least RM5 billion in a major boost to the state’s economy.
More significantly, its foray at the world’s largest expo saw the state winning firm commitments from the developer of the Melaka Gateway project to forge ahead with its plans to develop three projects on a reclaimed land in the heart of Melaka city.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, who launched the Melaka Week the day before, witnessed the signing and exchange of the seven MoUs, including three from the Melaka Gateway developer, KAJ Development Sdn Bhd.
Datuk Daing A Malek Daing A Rahaman, Chairman of KAJ Development, also witnessed the signings.
For the state government, the deal to revive the stalled Melaka Gateway project marks a major step forward to expedite the development of the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone or M-WEZ, an economic corridor and a brainchild of Sulaiman.
The first MoU was signed between Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between MG Velocity Sdn Bhd, nominee of KAJ, with X Infinity Property Sdn Bhd and Total Group Bhd for the development of the Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT).
An investment of RM1.5 billion will be channelled for the development of the Cruise Terminal on island PME1 of Melaka Gateway. The terminal will house a CIQ facilities, Duty Free Mall, retail space and a luxury hotel.
X Infinity Property Sdn Bhd and Total Group Bhd are involved in property development and investment holding respectively. MG Velocity, nominee of KAJ was represented by Eric Ong Zong Ren while X Infinity was represented by Vincent Chong and Total Group by Datuk David Khoo Yik Chou.
The second MoU was signed between KAJ with Assetwall Sdn Bhd for the development of a modern world-class theme park offering 24 exciting rides and attractions on 36 acres of land at island PME1 of Melaka Gateway.
With an investment of RM1.5 billion, the theme park is expected to attract five million visitors annually. Target completion is planned for early 2026.
Assetwall is an investment holding company. KAJ was represented by Datuk Michelle Ong, CEO and founder while Assetwall was represented by Datuk Melvyn Cheng.
The third MoU was signed between KAJ and Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, a Government of Dubai Authority and operating through its business division Dubai Airport Free Zone.
The collaboration will look into the investment and operation of the proposed Free Trade Zone on island PME1 of Melaka Gateway. Initial estimate project a possible investment of RM2 billion into Melaka Gateway.
KAJ was represented by Datuk Michelle Ong while Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority is represented by Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Growth Abdulaziz Alhammadi.
The fourth MoU was between Melaka ICT Holdings (MICTH) and Microsoft Corp Malaysia. The tie-up between the Melaka government company and U.S. tech giant was aimed at supporting the state’s digital transformation initiative.
This include speeding the digital push in various industries including start-ups, financial services, retail, food and beverage, as well as the public sector. In short, the MoU aims to empower the people with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.
The fifth MoU was between Canadian University Dubai (CUD) and Malaysia Multimedia University (MMU), which has a big campus in Melaka.
CUD and MMU will explore cooperation in areas such as exchange of students, academicians, and non-academicians, program collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as in the area of digital and technology and research collaboration and training in the fields of mutual interest to both universities.
The sixth MoU was between the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka Chapter and the Middle East Consortium Group, Global Travel Services to boost travel and tourism between the two regions.
The seventh MOU was between NRB FOOD INDUSTRIES (NRB), represented by its Managing Director Raidee Bin Baharum and 3BUMI SDN BHD (3BUMI) represented by its Executive Director, Mohd Silahuddin Bin Jamaluddin.
