India best paymaster, says Malaysian Works Minister

New Delhi, Jan8 (UNI) The Government of India is the ''best paymaster'' and Malaysia's experience with India in the payment for projects undertaken here has been ''very smooth,'' Malaysia's Cabinet Minister for Works Dato Seri Samy Velu said here today.

''...interaction withthe Government of India is very fine...very smooth. They are the best paymasters,'' the Malaysian Minister, who is here to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), said.

The Minister was replying to questions from the audience after addressing the PBD session on 'Infrastructure and Investment.'' He said the Malaysian government had been working with the Government of India for the past many years and the experience had been ''very smooth.'' The Malaysian Minister was asked whether his government faced any difficulty in matter of payments after projects were undertaken.

He offered private sector investment from Malaysia in building road infrastrure in India and said he had already made the suggestion to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

He had also proposed investment in several roads of Delhi to ease traffic congestion, he said.

The Malaysian Minister said his government was also planning to set up pre-fabricated housing units in Delhi and Chennai and had made the suggestion to the Delhi Chief Minister.

Delhi still needed 800,000 houses, he said.

He, however, demanded meaningful discussions and concrete action on his suggestions after the conference.

Malaysian contractors could play a role in developing infrastructure here, he said adding that after the session, there should be further interaction.

''We don't want to come here again and again and talk...All suggestions can be recorded and followed up,'' he said.

Pointing out that India urgently required world class infrastructure in critical areas like roads, ports, railways, airports, electrical and water supply plants, Mr Samy Velu said the synergy between Malaysia's capacity and capability in infrastructure development and India's trained world-class workforce would bring the best results.

He said Malaysia was prepared to invest 70 per cent of the cost in creating a super highway for India. This would be private sector investment that could be mobilised in Malaysia with strong governmental support.

''Such a venture will result in tremendous employment and development opportunities throughout India,'' he added.

The Minister said Malaysian contractors and investors would also be able to play a significant role in transforming India's infrastructural landscape.

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