Opportunity awaits M'sian companies in New Zealand's infrastructure projects

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian companies seeking to venture into the global market should consider tendering for infrastructure projects in New Zealand, reported Bernama.

New Zealand has an open economy and has been recovering strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to the measures taken by the authorities in the island country to manage the pandemic.

“New Zealand has been encouraging Malaysian companies to participate in the tendering process for infrastructure projects in the country namely in building roads, schools, water catchments, railways and many more,” President of New Zealand Malaysia Business Association (NZMBA) Dave Ananth said through a statement.

Dave, who is a senior tax counsel based in New Zealand said NZMBA via its secretariat Stace Hammond Lawyers in Auckland has been approached by a sub-organisation of the Auckland Council which has many projects waiting to be tendered out to qualified parties.

“I have been given the list of projects available and New Zealand is encouraging Malaysian companies to tender for the country’s infrastructure projects,” he said, adding interested Malaysian companies can contact NZMBA or Stace Hammond Lawyers.

He said New Zealand is one of the top safe-haven investment destinations in the world due to its strong property rights, strong rule of law, high quality of life, ability to manage its borders effectively and economic growth.

“There is also the opportunity to diversify into real assets in an economy that produces a tremendous amount of food and lumber (timber) exports for Oceania/Asia, one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world,” he added.

Dave said that Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) is set to make its mark in New Zealand via a partnership with Panuku Development Auckland to develop the Aotea Central Over Station Development (OSD) with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.3 billion (NZ$452 million) in Auckland City Centre.

The urban regeneration development above City Rail Link’s Aotea Station spreads across 1.08 acres with a total gross floor area of approximately 45,292 square meters.

Dave said NZMBA is also planning to organise a ‘halal’ expo in New Zealand in early 2022.