Malaysian firms get 2 highway projects in India

21-Dec-2012

Malaysian firms will be awarded two highway projects in Tamil Nadu by the Indian government under a government-to-government arrangement.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia and India had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2010 on highway management and development, but had yet to start on the project delivery.

“I informed them that we've already enforced the first phase of the MoU, but the project delivery under the second phase has not materialised yet,” he told Malaysian journalists after meeting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He added that Manmohan gave his commitment, and would take positive steps to realise the MoU's second phase by offering the two highway projects in Tamil Nadu to Malaysian firms.

Najib added that the highways and concession companies would be announced later, after the projects had been formally confirmed.

Najib is in New Delhi to attend the two-day Asean-India Commemor-ative Summit, which celebrates 20 years of Asean-India relationship.

At the summit's plenary session later, India and Asean member nations unanimously adopted a vision statement which will chart the future direction of Asean-India relations.

In his remarks, Najib called the adoption of the document a “significant moment” for all parties.

“The essence of the vision statement is the broadening and deepening of our relations to the level of strategic partnership.

“Given our rich and intertwined history, it is imperative that we leverage on our historical linkages and develop a deep strategic partnership that is forward-looking, comprehensive and mutually beneficial.”