T’ganu economic recovery initiatives in the works

KUALA TERENGGANU – The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Development Council has outlined three main focus areas to spur economic recovery in Terengganu and help the people cope with challenges posed by the pandemic.

Council chief executive Baidzawi Che Mat said priority will be given to the human capital development, agriculture and tourism sectors to eradicate poverty and further revitalise the socio-economy in the state.

“In the long-term, human capital development, which includes skills training and poverty reduction programmes through educational support for students, will be the main focus in order to meet current needs of the people.

“At the same time, ECER recovery efforts will focus on agro-business and strengthening domestic tourism infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability when the tourism sector reopens,” he said in a statement here today.

The number of households living under the poverty line in Terengganu is expected to increase from 11,280 to 38,859 following the revision of the national poverty line income to a monthly household income of RM2,208, up from RM980, last year.

 Baidzawi said the council will expand the ECER Talent Enhancement Programme under Penjana-ECER Development Council by offering technical courses to equip participants with the skills required by the industry and obtain job placements.

Meanwhile, he said its Train & Place programme will benefit a total of 1,600 skilled workers and ensure job placements within a month upon completion of training.

For the agricultural sector, the council is in the midst of identifying a suitable area to develop the Terengganu Dairy Valley to meet the country’s fresh milk production requirements, following the success of the Muadzam Shah Cattle Research and Innovation Centre in Rompin, Pahang, he said.

He said, to rebuild the tourism sector which has been severely affected by the pandemic, the council will continue its strategic infrastructure project at Taman Negeri Setiu Wetlands and develop Kuala Terengganu City Centre Promenade to boost its economic value, which will benefit the surrounding community.

“Other ongoing projects include the construction of four additional headlands in Pantai Teluk Lipat, Dungun, and work to upgrade the hybrid solar system in Pulau Kapas,” he said.

As of February 8, Terengganu has attracted RM2.2 billion in private investments and targets to secure RM3.9 billion committed investments for this year, he added. – Bernama, February 16, 2021