ECRL allows east coast fishing industry easier market access
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- The construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will provide the east coast fisheries industry a faster and easier market access for their products.
Fisheries Department Director-General Datuk Munir Mohd Nawi said one of the ECRL stations to be constructed would be at Tok Bali, Kelantan, which is among the most important fishing towns on the east coast.
"The construction of the ECRL and the East Coast Expressway Phase Two will make the Tok Bali area the exit point for both transportation systems.
"With the trend of revenue from fishing landings tripling over the last three years, it is important for Tok Bali Port to have complete infrastructure facilities in order to become a deep-sea fishing hub," he said in a statement today.
The Fisheries Department estimated that the ECRL construction would boost the economic growth of local residents, especially those around ports and also provide access for fishery products to markets outside of Kelantan.
With a fast and efficient transportation system, the cost of business is expected to fall and will also result in a cheaper and fresher supply of fish for west coast consumers.
"With this, the development of the fisheries sector along the entire value chain involving downstream industries and agro-food will flourish," he said.
The Fisheries Department also proposed for Tok Bali Port to be equipped with facilities such as cold storage to store fish, especially during seasons where there would be a drop in fish landings, such as during the monsoon.
"Through the ECRL, the supply of stored fish can also be marketed to west coast states apart from local domestic use," it added.
-- BERNAMA
