GEORGE TOWN – Penang does not intend to compete with Kedah in the economic sector, but rather aims to complement each other in various sectors.
State Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said currently Penang only focuses on high value, namely by discovering local talent to meet the present market demand.
“Penang is more on high value, while Kedah focuses on high volume. Both states are different but complement each other.
“High value does not require a large site or land for the economy, but we are only looking for local experts in the field of software design, for example,” he said when met in Komtar today.
Last year, Kedah recorded the highest value of approved investments amounting to RM43 billion for the first quarter, surpassing some of Malaysia’s major industry-driven states.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the achievement is considered amazing as it took place during a trying time for various sectors globally.
Meanwhile, Penang only recorded an investment value of RM1.1 billion from the manufacturing sector for the same period last year.
Halim added that apart from high value, Penang will also focus on the automotive and research and development sector to boost the state’s economy, which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As announced by the chief minister, business is now returning. The state government also hopes that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can increase their digitalisation and market themselves globally.”
Earlier, Halim announced that the Malaysian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Samenta) will hold the SME100 awards ceremony here in March.
The ceremony, in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the oldest SME association in the country, will be officiated by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak to celebrate and recognise SME owners in Asean countries. – The Vibes, January 13, 2022
