KUANTAN, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- A total of 65 commercial spaces and 35 facility management packages worth RM12.7 million are being offered to local entrepreneurs and contractors along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) service line.
ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd (EOSB), the ECRL operation and maintenance company, said in a statement that commercial spaces such as kiosks and pushcarts will be provided at the service station to offer food and beverage products, groceries and travel necessities, local products as well as souvenirs and passenger-related services.
“In addition, 35 facility management packages have been identified to be offered to local contractors with a total contract value estimated at RM12.7 million for next year.
"The packages include premises cleaning services, landscape maintenance, pest control, general building maintenance and air conditioning system maintenance which will go through the prescribed procurement process," according to the statement today.
EOSB has organised the ECRL Support Service Entrepreneur and Contractor Tour to offer the initiative starting on Monday until today involving five locations along the ECRL line, namely Pasir Puteh in Kelantan; Marang and Dungun in Terengganu as well as Temerloh and Kuantan in Pahang.
According to the statement, the tour aims to provide exposure to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local contractors on business opportunities and facility management in the ECRL operational ecosystem.
Meanwhile, EOSB chief executive officer Mohd Zaidi Sharif said in the same statement that the involvement of local entrepreneurs and contractors is an important component in forming a strong and sustainable ECRL operational ecosystem.
“The operation of the ECRL network requires support from various service providers to ensure that stations, buildings and facilities are always safe, clean, comfortable and functioning properly.
“Through this tour, EOSB can reach out to the local entrepreneur and contractor community along the ECRL alignment and provide clearer information on available opportunities, participation requirements and the selection process,” he said.
The participation of local entrepreneurs is also expected to highlight the products and identities of the states along the ECRL alignment, enrich the passenger experience and create new economic spaces at the ECRL stations, which can further improve the socio-economy of the local community.
The launch of the tour was officiated by Mohd Zaidi at the main hall of the Marang District Council, Terengganu on Tuesday and the programme received an encouraging response with a total of 1,665 people attending the briefing sessions in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
-- BERNAMA