Bio Big Valley set for second phase

RM10bil development to be ready by 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Bio Big Valley Lojing, a mega development in Gua Musang, is gearing towards its second phase, which would involve a development cost of about RM10bil.

This phase, due to be completed by 2013, will be undertaken jointly by a local consortium comprising Mofaz group of companies, Solarin Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd and Telemont Sdn Bhd.

Mofaz group president Mohamed Fauzy Abdul Hamid said the development was the first in the region to adopt the carbonless and total renewable energy concept.

Mohamed Fauzy Abdul Hamid

“We are building a green city adapting wind turbine technology, which could generate up to eight megawatts of power and supplemented by solar energy, together with high-tech waste management for zero emission,” he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding with Solarin president and group executive chairman Datuk Naser Ismail and Telemont chief executive officer Kho Ah Tee.

Lojing, located along the Kg Raja-Gua Musang highway with altitudes ranging from 300m to 1,800m above sea level, is ideal for all kinds of hot and temperate crops, and livestock, plantation, medical services, agro- and eco-tourism related activities.

“At present, the ongoing activities are reforestation for sustainable forest development, large-scale integrated organic farming, husbandry of Dorper sheep, and planting of fruits and herbs,” Fauzy said, adding that the second phase on 1,800 acres would comprise a medical health resort, indoor winter resort, golf course, racing circuit, water sports club, residential properties and a five-star hotel.

According to Kho, the consortium would implement the same development concept in China and the Middle East by June.

“We are planning for the development to be near China’s Guangzhou, together with a Chinese partner, “ Kho told StarBiz, but declined to elaborate.

The development, which is expected to create about 150,000 jobs, would be partly funded by the United Nations’ (UN) human development division.

Naser said UN would provide the project funding of about RM2bil over the next two years but added that the funding mechanism, be it in the form of a loan or grant, was being finalised.

By The Star (by LAALITHA HUNT)