The Northern Corridor Implementation Authorities (NCIA) together with Kedah state government has realised investment of RM7.7 billion for the state, in the last nine months of the year.
In a statement on today (Nov 13), NCIA explained that the investment was in a several sectors, led by manufacturing, followed by tourism, logistic, agriculture and digital economy.
This was announced during Kedah’s state steering committee (JPN) meeting, that was chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor that was held in Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Star, today, according to NCIA.
After the meeting that discussed its vital plans in investment and development as well progress of projects in Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi also presented an appreciation speech to NCIA in their dedication to drive economic growth and development in the state.
“Their commitment to advancing innovation, nurturing local talent and promoting sustainable investments has been pivotal in steering the state towards aprosperous future,” said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor after chairing JPN meeting today.
NCIA said talent development is a vital part of NCIA’s strategy to drive socioeconomic development and enhance the NCER ecosystem, especially for Kedahans through programmes such as Entrepreneur Funding Programme (DU@NCER) and NCER Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP).
Both programmes have supported the tourism sector in terms of funding the tourism infrastructure development and ensuring the sufficient supplies of skilled manpower, since it was launched in 2019, he said.
After the meeting, Muhammad Sanusi officiated the presentation of letters of grant (LoG) to companies under the DU@NCER and NTEP initiatives in Kedah.
Among the recipient of the DU@NCER’s LoG was Langkawi Skywalk Sdn Bhd, who built ‘The World’s Longest Free-standing Cantilever Glass Skywalk’, which is estimated to be 38 metres long with the height of 645 metres above the sea level.
The other two recipients were resort operators are operator of Hangouts Urban + Eco Langkawi resort, SMS Retreat Company Sdn Bhd, which has proposed to increase capacity of family room segment offerings; as well as hospitality company, Chenang Prima Resort Sdn Bhd, which is responsible in the expansion of Royale brand through a smart partnership with Langkawi Development Board (Lada).
PFCE Integrated Plant and Project Sdn Bhd (PFCE), the developer of the new integrated tourism development project in Kuah, Langkawi was awarded LoG under the NTEP programme.
Meanwhile, NCIA chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said developing local talent is not only about skill acquisition but also inculcating an entrepreneurial mindset to contribute proactively to the economy of Kedah and the NCER.
“Investing in talent and nurturing entrepreneurship are strategic steps to prepare local talent not only for filling up jobs but also developing inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Since 2019, NCIA’s human capital development programmes have assisted over 19,000 micro, small and medium enterprises in Kedah, creating more than 2,300 jobs.
NCIA said efforts have also been made to enhance the NCER ecosystem by providing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to 6,248 participants.
Some of these participants, of around 1,826, received high-skills training, while 4,422 were trained at a semi-skilled level.
“NCIA’s dedication to facilitate these transformative initiatives demonstrates its commitment in driving economic growth and development towards narrowing the regional development gap and contributing to the country’s economic progress,” it said.
