Malaysia and South Korea are enhancing connections relating to infrastructure development through future collaborations. At the Korea-Malaysia Road & Civil Works Technology Cooperation Seminar on April 15, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the bilateral relationship between the two countries, on February 23, 1960, has been progressing for 65 years.
The seminar, organized by Korea University in Malaysia, Works Ministry and the International Contractors Association of Korea, was to exchange information and facilitate collaboration between leaders and innovators from both countries based on advancements in construction technology.
South Korean companies have historically left their marks on Malaysia’s skyline with projects such as Penang Bridge and Petronas Twin Towers. Nanta referred to the meeting with Korea’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Park Sung-woo last November which set the agenda for this seminar and also the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on infrastructure cooperation.
He also referenced Malaysia’s National Construction Policy 2030 as one of the key motivations in moving the country forward in terms of construction. Recognising South Korea’s global leadership in smart highways and in green infrastructure he felt confident in their future collaboration.
The event had 130 participants including officials from the Malaysian government as well as Korean infrastructure experts. The seminar, a continuation of ministerial discussions from last year, provided dialogue around advanced road and construction technologies, including presentations from the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA), Korea Expressway Corp (KEC), Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), etc as well as updates from Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia, Centre of Excellence in Engineering & Technology (CREaTE) from the Public Works Department and the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB).