Scomi does Malaysia proud

INTERNATIONAL Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed yesterday commended Scomi Engineering Bhd for its excellent US$527 million (RM1.6 billion) monorail project here.

This signals the growing acceptance of Malaysian-made brand overseas, which augurs well for the country, he said after a briefing by Scomi International president Kanesan Velupillai.

Also on hand to welcome the minister were Scomi Group chief executive officer Shah Hakim Zain and staff of the local set-up.

Mustapa also test-drove a section of the Chembur to Wadala route.

Scomi is accelerating its continued growth as a world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions especially in monorail systems and focusing on emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Middle East. Indonesia is set to be next on its expansion plan.

The company is also pursuing opportunities in leading cities such as Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru in the Indian sub-continent.

Kanesan also said the fact that Malaysian-made cars from Rawang, Selangor, will be plying here shows Scomi's capabilities in competing against its competitors, namely Hitachi and Bombardier.

Scomi Engineering and its consortium partner, Larsen & Toubro, secured the Mumbai monorail project from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in November 2008. The Malaysian company will be delivering 60 cars to make up 15 sets of four-car trains carrying 600 passengers on each set. This will alleviate the chronic traffic situation in Greater Mumbai, which has a population of 18 million people.

The project would have been due for completion this year if not for the terrorist attack in May 2009. The project, which can save 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide a day, is now scheduled to be opened next year.

By S.Manivanan, btimes.com.my