MELAKA: The proposed development of a shipyard costing more than RM2 billion in Tanjung Bruas, Melaka, is expected to yield high economic returns and create over 3,000 job opportunities for the locals.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the jobs would comprise unskilled, skilled and high-skilled worker categories, especially in the shipping industry.
"About 90,000 ships pass through Melaka waters annually, and the shipyard's development will raise Melaka's status as a maritime centre in the eyes of the world.
"The state government will provide support towards making Melaka into an international maritime industry amid the busyness of the Straits of Malacca," he told reporters here last night after an iftar ceremony with the chief minister which were attended by about 1,000 people.
Ab Rauf said the development of the shipyard to undertake shipbuilding and ship repair works is also expected to stimulate further maritime activities especially in the Tanjung Bruas Port area.
He said the project's implementation should be realised within a year of the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday (April 13).
It was reported that property developer LBS Bina Group Bhd, through indirect subsidiary Leaptec Engineering Sdn Bhd, inked an MoU with Türkiye-based shipyard solution provider Desan Deniz Ins San AS to explore the feasibility of developing a shipyard on 485.62ha of reclaimed land in Melaka.
Ab Rauf witnessed the signing of the MoU at Desan's head office in Istanbul. – BERNAMA