PENANG has less than five years before it can attain the goals of Vision 2030 - the benchmark of the state's fifth chief minister - Chow Kon Yeow’s administration.
As of Dec 31, last year, Chow said that 73 per cent of the targets set under the socio-economic development masterplan have been achieved with 359 projects implemented, nine ongoing and five more in the planning stage.
The vision is about producing a smart and green-intensive state with the family institution as the underlying theme for happiness and progress.
In his New Year 2025 message, Chow said that it is not only Vision 2030 which counts but also attention to the strategy to develop the state's economic ecosystem which is equally important, said Chow.
In the past years, Penang has made impressive strides in the manufacturing and services sectors.
But it also cannot be denied that economic vibrancy requires an effective administration to consolidate the infrastructure, and an efficient public transport mode to ensure seamless mobility and to improve the quality of life through a proper traffic management system.
Given the pressing need to improve infrastructure and the public transport mode, Penang has undertaken various major initiatives, namely in coming up with the mega light rail transit (LRT) system Mutiara route.
The starting point for the LRT at the now under reclamation Silicon Island (off Batu Maung), is expected to be ready by the end of this year, Chow noted.
The Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas expansion is also being fast-tracked in view of the higher arrival of tourists, especially with the direct flights secured from Shenzhen in China and Chennai, India.
The manufacturing and services sectors continued to power the state's economy last year with RM22.5 billion recorded in approved investments up to the third quarter.
Chow said about 14,042 new jobs were created last year in the state.
He also touched on the leadership transition, which he had orchestrated in Sept, last year.
Penang has enshrined in its state constitution a two-term limit for the chief ministership.
He hoped that the process would be smooth and there would be adequate platforms created to allow the present leadership to conduct their duties while also welcoming the new leadership to help embrace the transitional process.
He ended his message with a fervent wish for a Happier New Year for Penangites. - January 2, 2025.
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