The East Coast Economic Region (ecer)

The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) was established to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth across the country, which is in line with national aspirations desire to become a high-income developed country. ECER accounts for 51% of Peninsular Malaysia, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor Bahru. With a population of 4.3 million, it is a rapidly changing region and is steadily positioning itself as a unique, dynamic and competitive investment destination. ECER is one of the five economic corridors designated for socio-economic development and aims to create a fair distribution of wealth in Malaysia as part of the nation's desire to become a developed high-income country by 2020. To achieve this goal, the East Cost-Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) was established in 2008 as a statutory body under the East Coast Economic Zone Development Commission Act (Act 688) to promote the implementation of the East Coast Economic Zone Master Plan. ECERDC plays a vital role in providing appropriate guidance, policy and strategy for the development of ECER.

ECER's master planner is Petronas, a Malaysia-owned oil and gas company. Another private sector partner is the planting group is IOI, a public company. The private companies Petronas and IOI have strong influence on the East Coast. The East Coast Economic Zone Development Committee was established to implement the master plan. ECER was launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi on October 30, 2007 in Kuala Terengganu, the capital of Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu, the capital of Kuala Lumpur, and in Kuantan, the capital of Pahang, the next day. During the launch, the Prime Minister announced a grant of RM6 billion as part of the public investment in the development corridor. This investment is mainly used for projects that have a strong impact, which will be a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region, which accounts for nearly half of the Peninsular Malaysia and lags behind the West Coast in terms of income and investment.

The East Coast Economic Corridor (ECER) focuses on further development of major economic clusters - tourism, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and education. The East Coast Economic Region Development Council is the overall body responsible for ECER. In terms of tourism, ECER will take advantage of the area's pristine beaches and coral reef islands as well as its culture and heritage. The region has established a good base oil and gas cluster centered on the activities of  Kerteh, Trengganu and Gebeng. These activities include oil and gas exploration, oil and gas reserve development, crude oil refining, oil and gas processing, and petrochemical production.

Through sample materials, the region is driving the development of downstream value-added products such as polymer resins and materials. ECER's existing manufacturing industries are concentrated in resource-based industries such as petrochemicals, wood and food processing. In view of the growing global market for these products, ECER aims to promote the production of halal products including halal food. In agriculture, ECER will focus on modern farming of crops, animal husbandry and kenaf cultivation for the production of medium density board and other value-added products. The region also promotes education as a catalyst for further development in all other sectors.

The ECER Master Plan was created for ECER staff. Therefore, ownership and participation at all levels of the population is crucial. The establishment of the ECER Development Council will ensure the effective implementation of the master plan. The success of implementing an ECER master plan depends on the commitment and cooperation of all. The master plan uses a regional approach that leverages the strengths and resource base of each country. In order to achieve the goals of the master plan, each country must complement each other rather than compete with each other. The unique focus and areas of expertise of the ECER are designed to complement the Iskandar Development Zone (IDR), the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the Sabah Development Corridor, and the Sarawak Renewable Energy Corridor (SCORE). The proposed key projects and plans can be implemented through a specific implementation timeline. The government is counting on a partnership with the private sector to encourage investment and new economic activities in the region. The government is committed to implementing physical, infrastructure and transportation projects to support development initiatives. Attractive incentives designed specifically for the region to stimulate investment in the region.

The government's master plan approved in 2008 identified and identified parameters for transforming the region into major international and local destinations, exporters of resources and manufactured goods, a vibrant trading centre, and infrastructure and logistics centres. The master plan also details measures to reduce regional socio-economic disparities in a sustainable manner, eliminate poverty and improve income and wealth distribution. The region's natural resources, unique culture and heritage form the basis for transforming the ECER economy into a dynamic and competitive economic base to cope with the growing regional and global competition and economic liberalization.

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