THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the state government is set to award the contract for the Vizhinjam international seaport project to Adani Ports, the Malaysian government has once again conveyed its interest in taking up the multi-crore project.
Malaysia has routed a second letter - this time through proper channel - to Chief Minister. The letter dated May 13 has come via the Malaysian Consulate for South India in Chennai and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The second letter also is written by S Samy Vellu, Special Envoy to India and South Asia (Infrastructure), Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysian Government.
The letter, a copy of which is with ‘Express’, says: “Our Malaysian companies now would like to participate in the port operation package on a Swiss Challenge basis and EPC tender which is still open for competitive bidding as per the information on the port website...We hope that the closing date for the EPC tender could be extended to allow Malaysia to prepare and make a detailed submission to your government.”
In saying that the “EPC tender is still open,” Malaysia is referring to the June 17 deadline for placing the EPC bid given in the RFQ document displayed on VISL website. The letter adds that the Malaysian government is also “keen to associate with Kerala on the several ongoing infrastructure projects including the Rapid Transit Rail on a Government to Government mode.”