Chinese company, 3 Malaysian JVs submit tenders with financing for Malaysia's MRT Circle Line

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) said in a statement, the four tenderers are China Communications Construction Company LimitedChina Communications Construction Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; SapuraTIEC Consortium; MMC-Gamuda-George Kent Joint Venture; Pacific-Mudajaya-JEC Consortium.

An evaluation will be made by MRT Corp based on best evaluated tender from the three main evaluation criteria; technical, financial standing and the financing package. A recommendation will then be submitted to Malaysia's Finance Ministry for decision and approval, according to the statement.

"Adopting the turn-key tender allows MRT Corp to seek the best option for funding the project, as we will try and get the lowest cost in financing," said MRT Corp Circle Line project director Zohari Sulaiman.

However, he added, if the financing package options are not favorable, the company will revert to the old financing structure that is through Danalnfra, a Malaysian government funding vehicle.

The MRT Circle Line is expected to be 40 km in length, of which approximately 32 km will be under the ground with 26 stations planned along the alignment.

The line, which will run around the periphery of Kuala Lumpur city center, will intersect with all of the Klang Valley's urban rail network, expanding its coverage significantly and providing greater mobility to commuters.

The contract is expected to award within the first quarter this year.