Penang investors keen to expand into Perak, says Saarani

IPOH: Investors from Penang are seeking to expand their business to Perak, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).

He said among the locations targeted by these investors is the state’s northern region.

“Following the Automotive High Technology Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim, Silver Valley Technology Park in Ipoh, and the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (Lumic) in Lumut Port, the state government is working towards developing new industries in the northern side of the state.

“We have received requests by investors who have factories in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas in Penang to expand their premises to Parit Buntar and Bagan Serai,” he told Noor Azman Ghazali (PN-Alor Pongsu) during the question-and-answer session at the Perak state assembly sitting here on Monday (Sept 25)

Noor Azman had asked about the state’s plans to develop Perak’s northern area.

Saarani (BN-Kota Tampan) said the state has yet to announce the projects in the northern side as discussions are still ongoing.

“(After the announcement) it will take time before (operations begin). They need to build the factories first and then the job opportunities will come.

“I recently attended the ground-breaking ceremonies in Seri Iskandar and Ipoh where some of the projects are expected to be completed by next year and more than 1,000 job opportunities will be available,” he added.

Replying to M. Thulsi Thivani (PH-Buntong) who asked about the achievements under Perak Sejahtera 2030, Saarani said the state is in the top five in the country in terms of approved investments.

“For the first quarter of this year, Perak recorded an increase of 550% in investments equivalent to RM1.3bil, against the same period last year.

Saarani also said AHTV is expected to be worth RM40bil, and Lumic will generate investment amounting to RM72bil, with more than 50,000 job opportunities combined over the next 25 years or so.