Sunday January 21, 2007
Transforming into an industrial economy
KEDAH, the rice bowl of Malaysia, is fast growing from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial economy.
It has started attracting foreign direct investment by the billions.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that Kedah can expect at least RM4bil in foreign direct investment (FDI) this year.
Kedah is enjoying a sound macro economic environment with Gross Domestic Produce (GDP) growth exceeding 6%, increasing FDI and robust growth in industrial production specifically in hi-tech, biotech and manufacturing sectors.
More than 460 manufacturing companies have set up operations in 25 industrial parks in Alor Star, Jitra, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Sungai Petani, Tikam Batu, Kuala Ketil and Kulim.
Gurun, is poised to be the automotive city in the northern region with the existence of the NAZA automotive manufacturing plant. Gurun also houses Petronas Fertilizer, Perwaja Steel and MODENAS Manufacturing.
Kulim Hi-Tech City, dubbed the Science City of the Future, is a self-contained township housing 35 multinational and local high-technology companies including Intel, Sony, Celestica, Sumitomo, Silterra, Fuji Electric and Infineon.
The RM21bil hi-tech park that boasts high quality infrastructure and facilities is poised to be the national centre for advanced technology manufacturing, ICT, nanotechnology and biotechnology.
Mahdzir said Kedah offers enormous business opportunities ranging from hi-tech, bio-tech, research and development, power generation, healthcare, petroleum refining, education to agricultural product manufacturing.
InvestKedah is promoting itself as the ultimate profit centre.
Kedah is also tapping its potential in the tourism industry.
The world-renowned island Langkawi is part of Kedah.
Kedah is now aggressively promoting potential attractions on mainland Kedah with the catchy tagline ‘Mainland Kedah - More to discover’.
Among the better-known attractions on mainland Kedah are Tree Top Walk in Sedim, Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum, Sungai Merbok, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s birth place in Alor Star and the Padi Museum at the foot of Gunung Keriang.
- Police: Use of handcuffs on student activist is standard operating procedure
- Suspected cow thieves get ‘moo’ then they bargained for
- Najib congratulates Everest-conquering Felda youths
- RCI: Foreign nationals owe RM21.67mil in medical bills
- Families of top brass should not bid for gov’t contracts, says MACC panel
- Malaysia to work hard for UN Security Council seat
- Respect the rule of law, Senate chief tells Karpal
- Fishermen slammed for selling off free engines
- Cops urge motorists to avoid roads near Dataran PJ Thursday evening
- EC: Special team to find out why indelible ink was not indelible
- Banting murders: Thilaiyalagan never met Sosilawati and friends
- Sabah moves to annul rape victim's marriage to alleged rapist
- Sarawak ministers, assemblymen get three-fold pay hike
- Low’s Cabinet appointment will not change his principles, says Tunku Aziz
- Saturday rally near Amcorp Mall to go on despite official warning
- EPF invests more abroad
- Bad behaviour spreads to oil market
- What is integrated talent management?
- Mida: Investments up 44% to RM49.3bil in first quarter
- San Miguel keen to keep bank unit if CIMB walks away from RM905.55mil deal
- 4As eyeing FODM conference in Thailand next year
- AmInvest aims to grow assets to RM40bil
- MDeC eyeing at least RM1.5bil new investments
- Plantation player TSH sees breaching 50,000ha by year-end
- Green Packet ready to sell some assets
- Dayang gets RM2bil Shell job
- Perdana ‘super clean’ now; will sell all old vessels following RM68mil loss writedown
- Tune Ins doubles Q1 income
- CIMB Q1 profit advances 37%
- Alliance Q4 pre-tax earnings rise
- 6.0 quake off Russia's far-east Kamchatka coastline: USGS
- Death toll rises to 21 in Indonesian mine collapse
- Dozens dead as tornado hits Oklahoma City (Updated)
- No new H7N9 cases in China for a week: government
- Villagers discover ancient ball game statue in Mexico
- British PM survives gay marriage vote
- Kerry to help ink $2.1 bn defense accord with Oman
- Yahoo unveils makeover of flickr site
- China crush arch rivals Indonesia
- Former Asian phenom takes slow route to success
- Plenty for Hafizh as 55 is significant in his early racing career
- Yi Ting on a mission
- Razif: Indiscipline the cause of senior players’ poor performances
- Cool V Shem believes he will be too hot for rivals to handle
- Spirited Malaysian team vow to deliver against Germans
- Japan hope to reach their first semis in tourney
- KLHC to rule the roost if other teams don’t raise their game
- Malaysia have their work cut out in the World League
- Gobi’s fate to be decided by MHC’s administrative committee
- Andre nails it with last jump
- Grace hammers home a point with two golds
- Delia one step away from main draw after easy win
- Sharon believes KPT circuit is excellent for squash’s future
- Rape accused defends marriage to 13-year-old, says it was mutual
- MAS flew baby home with doctor's certification, says CEO Ahmad Jauhari
- Wee: MCA shouldn’t join Government
- AirAsia: Child not allowed on board because of chicken pox
- ‘Boycott will be self-defeating’
- Sarawak ministers, assemblymen get three-fold pay hike
- The best ways to national unity
- Mustapa against call to boycott products of Chinese firms
- Group upset over man marrying underage victim
- Zahid: I will not interfere with decisions of HODs
- Sarawak ministers, assemblymen get three-fold pay hike
- Rape accused defends marriage to 13-year-old, says it was mutual
- Kerry visits Oman for arms deal, talks on Syria, Mideast
- Malindo set to operate from Subang Skypark
- MAS flew baby home with doctor's certification, says CEO Ahmad Jauhari
- Cops urge motorists to avoid roads near Dataran PJ Thursday evening
- Coconut yogurt anyone?
- AmIncome Flexi bond fund to attract RM200m investments
- The best ways to national unity
- ‘Boycott will be self-defeating’
RSS
