By P. Vijian, NNN-Bernama,
New Delhi : India has proposed to set up a high-powered team to entice more Malaysian ifrastructure companies to invest in the country’s growing number of highway infrastructure projects, says Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath.
The the team would help to facilitate government-to-government support in the sector, for which India is seeking large foreign investments and expertise, he told the media here over the weekend.
“We have discussed the possibility of government-to-government engagement between both countries. A team will be formed with immediate effect to facilitate Malaysian investment in the highway development sector,” Nath added.
India is on fast track to complete a massive 7,000 km of roads annually, with a target of 20 km daily, to connect the length and breath of the sub-continent with much needed infrastructure to propel its fast-growing economy.
India’s 3.3 million-km road network system is the second largest in the world, after the United States and Indian roads carry 60 per cent of the freight and more than 80 per cent of the country’s passenger traffic.
The government has allocated US$92 billion until 2012 to develop its highway projects.
“We want Malaysian companies to participate in highways development programmes in the capacity as bidders and consultants. We also want to learn from Malaysia’s experiences in tolling technologies. Malaysia has been present in this sector for the past 15 to 20 years and is currently engaged in 35 projects in the country,” added Nath.
The team is likely to comprise representatives of the planning commission and the finance and roads ministries.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and India is in the pipeline to bolster co-operation in the sector.
Malaysian Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor held talks with Nath in Delhi last week.