China will support Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan, says Anwar

NANNING: China will support Putrajaya’s efforts to implement the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

“China will support the Malaysian government to implement NIMP 2030,” said Anwar in a press conference at Nanning Marriott Hotel on Sunday (Sept 17) after a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

NIMP 2030 outlines plans to transform Malaysia into a high-tech nation in seven years’ time, requiring a total investment of RM95bil.

According to Anwar, Li wants more Chinese companies to actively invest in Malaysia and emphasise on upskilling efforts.

“Their (Chinese companies) views about Malaysian professionals, engineers, technicians and IT experts are very good, as they are known for their dedication and discipline.

“Upskilling is crucial. Therefore, in meetings with the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Geely and Huawei, I stressed efforts to increase research and also special training programmes in Malaysia,” said Anwar.

Anwar also among the highlights of the three MOUs worth a total of RM19.84bil signed with Chinese companies was the request to increase the purchase of palm oil from Malaysia by 500,000-tonnes.

“This is the first time that China has asked for a big increase. This is a big achievement and thank you to the officers who managed it and expedited it,” added Anwar.

The first MOU worth RM15bil was inked between Citaglobal Berhad and Shanghai Sus Environment on exploring the potential collaboration of developing waste to energy power plants primarily in Malaysia.

The second MOU worth RM2.34bil was signed between PM Access World and Beibu Gulf Port Group, which will be on warehousing and logistics cooperation between the two companies in supporting the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to promote economic and trade cooperation between Guangxi and Malaysia.

The last MOU, worth RM2.5bil, was inked between Sime Darby Oils International limited and Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group to build a trading and distribution centre for refined palm oil and shortening in Qinzhou, with an estimated annual transaction volume of 500,000 tonnes.

The signing of the MOUs was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

Anwar will return to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (Sept 17) evening and attend the ongoing Parliament meeting on Monday (Sept 18).