IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCER ECONOMIC RECOVERY INITIATIVES IN FULL SWING FOR PERLIS Strategic Investments, High Impact Projects and Job Creation Continue to Boost Social Economy and Elevate Rakyat’s Livelihood
Kangar, Perlis 26 October – The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025 (SDP) is the basis for the implementation of catalytic projects and human capital programmes for the Rakyat that are in full swing in Perlis to further enhance the State’s economy amidst the challenging global environment.
As at the end of September, NCIA has witnessed more than RM530 million in cumulative investments in Perlis with over 350 jobs created in the state. Through the initiatives outlined in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025 (SDP), Perlis is expected to raise its GDP to RM7.1 billion and create over 5,700 jobs and 1,400 entrepreneurs.
“The State Government of Perlis is working hand-in-hand with NCIA in implementing the three- pronged approach outlined in the SDP, to provide human capital development, enable investment growth and enhance connectivity and strategic infrastructure, in ensuring that job creation and the livelihood of the Rakyat is sustained,” said Perlis Menteri Besar, YAB Datuk Seri Azlan Man at the Jawatankuasa Pemandu Negeri (JPN) meeting held earlier today.
One of the key projects with a strong potential to kick-start the economic recovery process in Perlis is the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA). Construction to complete Phase One of the CVIA development covering 440 acres is in full swing and slated to be completed by June 2022. Investments exceeding RM460 million and over 600 job opportunities are in the pipeline which consist of companies operating in the medical devices, electrical & electronics, education, and smart agriculture industries.
Despite the on-going pandemic, CVIA has been able to attract investors through its inherent potential to boost the development of the area with various commercial activities that are innovation-based and knowledge-intensive within the high-growth and high-value sectors. A total of over 12,000 jobs will be created once the entire 2,468-acre development has been completed.
“The development and success of CVIA is important for Perlis as it is a prime industrial park for economic activities that can co-exist as a sustainable model and will have a mutually beneficial network with other industries and other relevant supporting functions indirectly enhancing socioeconomic recovery for the Rakyat,” added Azlan Man.
Strategically located near the Thai border, another vital project for the State is the Perlis Inland Port (PIP). PIP will enhance the logistics network from the Thai border to Penang Port and will boost the integrated development in the Lembah Chuping area that encompasses CVIA and Chuping Agro Valley (CAV) by leveraging the regional cooperation of the Indonesia-Malaysia- Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).
Complementing the development in Chuping Valley, CAV is an integrated farming bionetwork aimed at cultivating high-quality alternative crops in the four main agro-food sectors including cassava for starch production, MD2 premium pineapple, harum manis mangoes and animal feed production based on cassava by-product of starch and biomass.
“NCIA’s Strategic Investments, High-impact Projects and Human Capital Programmes have been vital in supporting and accelerating the revival of Perlis’ economy through the creation of jobs and economic activities for the rakyat,” added the Menteri Besar of Perlis.
To date, about 1,800 participants from amongst youth, women and unemployed graduates in Perlis have benefitted from NCIA’s current Human Capital Programmes (HCP) via empowerNCER, entrepreneurNCER, NCER Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP). Whilst the Dana Usahawan Bumiputera (DUB) programme has created 43 jobs to date.
These integrated programmes will provide the necessary entrepreneurship skills development, education, job placement, business & financial assistance for the target group, and incentives for the private sector / SMEs. Meanwhile, fast-track HCP programmes JomKerja@NCER and JomNiaga@NCER targets creation of over 400 jobs and/or entrepreneurs to help those most affected by the on-going pandemic.
Apart from addressing bread-and-butter issues of the Rakyat, the various on-going programmes under the SDP also helps to address the core issues related to poverty as highlighted in the data and findings gathered from the Focus Group Discussions held recently at the 2019 Poverty Line Study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
To support poverty eradication efforts, NCIA is formulating specific programmes to assist target market groups most impacted by the on-going pandemic to have better job and entrepreneurship opportunities. These proposed programmes will be tabled to EPU for their consideration.
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“The Rakyat’s immediate needs are job and economic opportunities. We are committed to ensuring our efforts will accelerate the Rakyat’s post-COVID-19 socioeconomic recovery process. All stakeholders in the NCER shall continue to work together cohesively to combat this challenging economic environment for the ultimate benefit of the Rakyat,” said Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John, Chief Executive of NCIA.
-ENDS-
NOTE TO EDITORS: About NCIA The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is a regional development authority responsible for establishing directions, devising policies and strategies related to the socioeconomic development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). Incorporated in June 2008 under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Act 2008 (Act 687), NCER encompasses the four northern states of Kedah, Penang, Perlis and Perlis in Peninsular Malaysia. NCIA’s Chief Executive is Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John.NCIA drives the growth of NCER towards becoming an excellent economic region while catalysing and implementing high value-added development programmes in six (6) economic clusters: Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Petrochemical, Mining, Green Economy and Services (Inc. Tourism; Logistics and Connectivity; and Digital Economy).
Media Contact: YM Raja Dato’ Zamilia Raja Mansur En. Ariff bin Ahmad Head, Corporate Communications Unit Head, Public Relations and Media Management Email: [email protected] Corporate Communications Unit Mobile: + 019 286 2944 | DL: + 604-502 0708 Emel: [email protected] Mobile: + 016 328 8944 | GL: + 604-502 0708
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NCIA STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AND HIGH- IMPACT PROJECTS IN PERLIS
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NCIA HUMAN CAPITAL PROGRAMMES IN PERLIS
Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
200
Brief Description A Skills and entrepreneurship development programme for youth, women, unemployed graduates in B40 group and Orang Asli to increase their income though job placement or entrepreneurship; and an Academic programme for weak performing students to prevent future poor. Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
1290
Brief Description Programme for micro enterprise and SMEs that provide a top-up of 50% on bank loan rates through partnerships with Maybank and Agrobank, as well as guidance on branding, product and business development. Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
50
Brief Description Enhance marketability and provide job opportunities for unemployed graduates and retrenched workers through human capital incentives to the private sector. Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
160
This programme is implemented to support companies and businesses that are employing human resources, investing and expanding in NCER. The participating companies are given incentives and access to a varied talent pool comprising fresh graduates, youths, women and retrenched workers to meet their operational needs. Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
65
This programme is aimed at youths, women, microenterprises, and retrenched workers in the B40 category. As an inclusive human capital programme, the focus will be on modular trainings that will be conducted up to three (3) months to enable the participants generate immediate income. Existing Human Capital Programmes Up to October 2020 Target 2021-2025
43
2 companies
Brief Description Tipping point for eligible Bumiputera companies in the form of grants of 15% or maximum of RM2 million from cost of project. For more information, please visit us at http://www.ncer.com.my
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