"In the context of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's indication of an investment of $150 billion in infrastructure over the next decade, many Malaysian companies were keen to invest but wanted clear specification of what policy stance would the Indian government take," Dennis Ganendra, director, Construction Industrial Development Board, Malaysia, said at the seminar.
Another officer from CIDB added that leaving projects completely in the hands of private parties was not advisable, as it could lead to delays in completion. He said government support, both in terms of finances and policy, was required.
Some participants also expressed doubts about lengthy procedures and arbitrary terms and conditions in the concession agreements that created delays in tendering process.
Presentations made by various participants, including government representatives from all four transport sectors, namely roads, ports, railways and civil aviation, indicated that ASEAN countries already had considerable presence in transport in India.
In case of ports, for instance, PSA Sical, a Singapore-based company had been operating the container terminal at Tuticorin since 1999. Under the National Highway Development Programme, ASEAN nations were awarded contracts worth Rs 900 crore (Rs 9 billion).
© 2025