MELAKA - The Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT) will be developed after the developer, KAJ Development Sendirian Berhad (KAJD) is given the planning approval by the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), and work is expected to start by the end of this year.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said MICT is one of the main infrastructures under the Melaka Gateway mega project which will make a big contribution, especially to the tourism sector and the state's economy.
"The development of the Melaka Gateway was decided by the previous state government and now it has been rebranded and we will cooperate with KAJD to start the construction of MICT.
"MICT will be developed after receiving planning permission from MBMB and construction permission from the Ministry of Transport," he told reporters here today.
He said the operation of the MICT in the future has also been approved by the operators of luxury yachts that will dock at the terminal to bring tourists to Melaka.
The media had earlier reported that the Melaka Gateway project worth RM43 billion will be revived according to the guidelines and regulations approved with the support of the Federal government and the Melaka state government.
Then Melaka Gateway is a multi-sector development ecosystem covering tourism, hospitality, lifestyle, education, healthcare, housing and commercial sectors.
The construction of MICT is an international cruise pier that has exclusive operating rights from the Melaka government and is the gateway for international cruise ships and ferries to Melaka that can accommodate the arrival of approximately 3.5 million tourists to then Melaka Gateway every year. - BERNAMA