Kelantan’s growth trajectory is gaining strong momentum, with major infrastructure projects and rising investor commitments driving confidence in the state’s long-term economic potential under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).
As of September 2025, the council revealed that RM1.12 billion in realised investments have flowed into Kelantan, primarily from the manufacturing sector, creating over 200 new jobs.
“Another RM736 million in committed investments from the agriculture, services and industrial sectors are expected to generate more than 1,300 employment opportunities in the coming years,” ECERDC said.
The council shared that among the state’s flagship developments, the Palekbang-Kota Bharu Bridge, which is 22% completed, is set to transform connectivity between Kota Bharu and Tumpat, easing congestion and unlocking new trade, logistics and tourism corridors across northern Kelantan. Complementing it are major federal initiatives such as the East Coast Rail Link and key highways, including the Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Highway and Lingkaran Tengah Utama Expressway, which are enhancing accessibility and positioning Kelantan as a regional growth hub.
“Through coordinated planning and sustainable development, we are charting a clear path toward a more competitive and resilient Kelantan,” Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said, after chairing the Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC) ECER Kelantan Meeting.
ECERDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Baidzawi Che Mat said these projects reflect growing investor confidence and will “catalyse industrial expansion, tourism development and inclusive growth across the state”.
He shared that ECERDC is also advancing several key initiatives, including the Tok Bali Industrial Park, expansion of the Tok Bali Jetty and infrastructure upgrades in Rantau Panjang to support border trade and logistics. Additionally, the Kelar Water Treatment Plant (Phase 2) and the Geting Integrated Tourism Zone are progressing to enhance essential services and tourism diversification.
“In the agro-based sector, ECERDC recently completed the Goat Milk Collection Centre in Pasir Puteh, scheduled to begin operations in January 2026, supporting smallholder farmers and boosting value-added dairy production,” Baidzawi said.
Meanwhile, at the same ICC meeting, a tripartite agreement was inked between ECERDC, Kelantan State Economic Planning Unit and the Kelantan State Agricultural Development Corporation, alongside a commercial agreement with the Bukit Awang Area Farmers’ Organisation, formalising the Inisiatif Pendapatan Rakyat-INTAN Machang Project, a 50-acre IoT-based chilli fertigation initiative involving 100 B40 participants, expected to generate minimum monthly incomes of RM2,000.
