ALOR STAR – The Kedah Rubber City (KRC) project, which the state is banking on for high economic returns, will be ready to receive investors later this year, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced today.
He said the project has now been completed by more than 30% after the first phase of its development began last year.
“Through an attractive and comprehensive fiscal incentive package, KRC has so far drawn interest with potential investments of more than RM2.1 billion,” he said..
“More than 5,000 job opportunities will also be created by local rubber industry players who have committed to being a part of the KRC when it starts operating in the second quarter of 2022,” he said in a joint statement with the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) today.
He stressed that glove manufacturers are seeing growing global demand for rubber gloves.
He said the manufacturers at the Kulim High Technology Park (KHTP) and in the Bukit Kayu Hitam Science and Technology Park (BKHSTP) have also expressed their intentions to increase production.
He said collaboration with local universities in research and development is also being planned to develop and commercialise high-tech rubber production items.
“Once fully completed, KRC is ready to drive Malaysia as a world leader in the rubber industry again, and the people (involved) will eventually make profits through new job opportunities and increased incomes,” he said.
Meanwhile, NCIA chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John said the authority approved investments worth almost RM10 billion in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCIA) through its fiscal incentives, generating more than 15,000 jobs for Kedah last year.
“NCER’s success in attracting investments during this challenging period is a testament to the resilience of the economy of this country and the region,” he said.
“People are expected to see strong and sustainable socio-economic development when this challenging period ends,” he said.
Muhammad Sanusi also said that the Kasih Ibu Darul Imam (Kida) programme which has been implemented in all 12 districts in Kedah has benefited almost 5,000 poor households struggling to meet living costs.
The programme, he said, helps the less fortunate to buy household items from a panel of retailers and seek healthcare treatment at private panel clinics through a cashless card system.
“KIDA participants are also encouraged to participate in NCER’s skills and entrepreneurship training program, and as a result 15% have now successfully generated their own incomes and are no longer dependent on financial assistance from KIDA,” he said.
“Based on this success, the Kida programme will continue until the end of this year,” he said – The Vibes, January 18, 2021.
