MANJUNG, October 20 – Vale, one of the world’s leading mining companies today announced its MYR5.0 million investment to position its 715-acre Vale Ecological Centre (VEC) in Teluk Batik as one of the leading ecotourism attractions in Perak.

Fully owned and operated by Vale, VEC preserves the unique Teluk Batik coastal forest ecosystem, hosting over 100 plant species and 125 bird species. The coastal area fronting the sprawling ecological park is also home to eight species of coral, as well as many other marine species.

Rodrigo Ribeiro de Araújo, CEO of Vale in Malaysia says, “VEC is an important asset for Vale, as it allows us to be directly involved in the conservation of the unique natural features of Manjung. We hope our investment to upgrade VEC will allow us to position the park as a viable ecotourism destination, attracting local and international visitors and stimulating Manjung’s tourism economy.”

VEC’s upgrade includes the addition of new attractions, such as a zen space that features a unique meditation hall, and the improvement of existing trails and facilities in the park to accommodate more ecotourists. “The calm ambiance of the area provides for an evocative space for the communities to gather, reflect, and be inspired,” Rodrigo added.

While VEC will continue to be positioned as an environmental conservation park, Rodrigo also has a vision for it become a vibrant ‘Community Hive’ in the future; a place where the communities in Manjung converge and socialize in a harmonious and inclusive setting. “As part of the VEC upgrade, we will also add new community-friendly facilities at the park, such as a multipurpose hall, and a sports centre that accommodates futsal, basketball and takraw. The local communities will be able to utilize these sporting facilities for free – allowing us to promote a healthy lifestyle to all Manjung folks”.

Since its opening in 2015, VEC has attracted over 20,000 visitors. The park started offering free weekly yoga, Muay Thai and fitness classes to Manjung folks this year, attracting over 1,000 participants so far. VEC’s three forest trekking trails, including the popular 2,200-metre waterfall trail, are slated to reopen to public in stages, beginning November 2022. These trails cater to visitors of varying fitness levels.

“Ultimately, we are investing to position VEC as a space in Manjung where everybody feels empowered and included,” Rodrigo concluded.