Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a feasibility study grant to Malaysia’s Hexa Capital Consultancy (Hexa), to support development of the Malaysia-U.S. (MYUS) submarine fiber optic cable system. The MYUS cable will add cost-effective digital connectivity capacity by directly linking Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines with the United States.
“This project will increase access to reliable and affordable digital services across Southeast Asia, including remote and underserved areas, while creating a secure communications link between the region and the United States,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Implementation of the MYUS cable will also create business opportunities for U.S. companies to partner with Hexa on their ambitious transpacific project.”
Hexa selected Massachusetts-based T Soja & Associates, Inc., to conduct the study, which will provide Hexa with detailed plans to guide their project’s implementation. The cable is expected to have a combined length of 19,221 kilometers with six landing stations in Southeast Asia and three in U.S. states and territories across the Pacific.
“MYUS will be the first international cable to have a direct connectivity from Malaysia to the United States, helping to support the implementation of 5G wireless services and further investment in data centers,” said Dr. Abang Azhari Hadari, CEO of Hexa. “USTDA’s grant will be the cornerstone for us to start the MYUS project.”
“The United States is pleased to partner with Malaysia and support the expansion of Malaysia’s digital economy,” said Chargé d Affaires a.i. to Malaysia Manu Bhalla. “This project will enable government, businesses, and other Malaysian stakeholders to securely access the Internet via a system created by trusted vendors.”
USTDA’s support for this project advances the digital pillars of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
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