BROKER CALL - Malaysia's water sector 'overweight' on 9MP rollout

BROKER CALL - Malaysia's water sector 'overweight' on 9MP rollout - Aseambankers
13/06/2007 12:28:00
KUALA LUMPUR (XFN-ASIA) - Aseambankers Research has kept its ''overweight''
rating on the water sector pending the rollout of projects under the Ninth
Malaysia Plan (9MP).
"We reaffirm our positive outlook for the water sector, especially for the long
term,'' it said, and noted that the government plans to call for an
international tender for the 44.6 kilometre tunnel works for the Pahang-Selangor
water transfer project "within these few months and for construction works to
start in early-2008."
"This would lead to the rollout of the other main packages of the larger
Pahang-Selangor water project, which we estimate would cost at least 9 bln rgt
in total,'' it added.
Potential beneficiaries of the projects are Gamuda, IJM Corp, and UEM Builders
while smaller players like Loh & Loh, Salcon and Taliworks could feature at the
sub-contracting levels, it said.
Aseambankers said national water asset management company PAAB's active
involvement in discussions to take over water-related assets in the two states
of Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, "is also positive development."
"Here, we understand that Ranhill Utilities is vying for a role in the
operation and maintenance of water treatment plants in Melaka,'' it noted.


Source: Osk Wirenews