Work with Govt in HSR project, private sector urged.

PUTRAJAYA: Entrepreneurs and social enterprises should work with the Government to ensure the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) corridor gains maximum benefit from the project, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said.

While the Government takes on the lead role, the private sector must also be proactive and play its part by implementing responsible and sustainable practices, taking into account the economic and social impact to society, he added.

He said a strategic development framework jointly created by all stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels has been created to ensure holistic socio-economic development takes place.

“It (the HSR) is a significant milestone in Malaysia’s journey to becoming a developed nation.

“The implementation of the HSR is expected to facilitate rapid industrial growth in the cities along the corridor, with multiplier effects across the entire national economy,” he said at the launch of the MyHSR Corporation strategic development framework delivery yesterday.

A feasibility study reveals that the holistic planning of the HSR is expected to facilitate rapid industrial growth in the cities along the corridor – Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

The project will also see an estimated growth of RM21bil in gross domestic product and the creation of 111,000 jobs by 2060.

Rahman said for the economy, the plan was to move towards knowledge-intensive and high-value-added activities, leveraging on each city’s competitive advantages to ensure the best prospects for growth.

“Inclusive growth is critical to ensure that our local communities, especially the bottom 40% household income group, will benefit economically from the presence of the HSR,” he noted.

Rahman said ensuring sustainability was vital to create vibrant and sustainable cities that were liveable and attractive.

MyHSR Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismail Mohamed Kamal said the project was a game changer in regional connectivity.

“It provides an opportunity to turbocharge growth in the intermediate cities along the HSR corridor by connecting them to the two major metropolises.

“It will also allow two of South-East Asia’s most vibrant and fast-growing economic engines to access larger market demand, investments and talent pools,” he added.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/21/work-with-govt-in-hsr-project-private-sector-urged/#XCTGyrBfZwkhvCS0.99