Latest news with #NCER
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
NCER records RM20.38 billion in realised investments in Kedah last year
ALOR STAR: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) recorded RM20.38 billion in realised investments in Kedah in 2024, a significant increase from RM11.6 billion the previous year. Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive, Datuk Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan, attributed this achievement to close collaboration between the Kedah state government and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida). He said the positive investment trend had continued into 2025, with RM9.11 billion in realised investments recorded as of May 31, creating nearly 2,000 job opportunities. "This strong performance reflects the high level of confidence investors and industry players have in the future potential of Kedah and the northern region as a whole. "NCIA will continue to play a vital role, strengthening collaboration with the Kedah state government and relevant agencies to ensure investment realisation in the state meets the expectations of investors," he said in a statement issued after attending the Kedah NCER Steering Committee meeting, chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. Meanwhile, Sanusi said that the NCIA had secured five investors for Phase 1 of the Kedah Rubber City (KRC) project, located in the Padang Terap district. He added that Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) had completed the electricity infrastructure for KRC. "The state government will apply for funding from the Economy Ministry to upgrade the road connecting Pokok Sena to Padang Terap," he told reporters following the meeting. Sanusi also announced that the NCIA has attracted a potential investor for the Kedah Science and Technology Park in Bukit Kayu Hitam. In addition, the NCIA has completed the Integrated Community and Economic Centre (iCON) project in Yan, while the Baling iCON facility has reached 90 per cent completion. iCON is an extension of NCER's empowerNCER entrepreneurship development programme, aimed at improving community livelihoods and economic participation. Sanusi expressed his gratitude to the federal government for facilitating the smooth implementation of NCIA-led projects across the state.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kedah sees RM20.38b in realised investments
ALOR SETAR: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), through collaboration with the Kedah state government and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), has realised investments totalling RM20.38 billion in 2024, up from RM11.6 billion recorded the previous year. NCER chief executive Datuk Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said this positive momentum has continued into this year, with RM9.11 billion in realised investments recorded as of May 31, creating nearly 2,000 jobs. 'This strong performance reflects investors' and industry players' confidence in Kedah's long-term prospects, and in the northern region as a whole. 'NCER will continue to play a key role while strengthening its cooperation with the state government and relevant agencies to ensure that the realisation of investments in Kedah is enhanced further and meets the standards expected by investors,' he said at the NCER Aidiladha Get-Together event here today. Prior to the event, the NCER presented its investment performance to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor during the Kedah State Steering Committee Meeting. He was also given updates on strategic projects such as the Kedah Rubber City and the Kedah Science and Technology Park, as well as plans to boost Kedah's tourism sector. These include the implementation of the Integrated Economic and Community Centre (iCON), upgrades to tourism facilities in Mong Gajah and Tasik Pedu, and the development of Dataran Bukit Kayu Hitam. 'The iCON project is a continuation of NCER's entrepreneurship development programme, empowerNCER. 'Previously, entrepreneurs received training and support to start their businesses — now they are being provided with physical business premises to help accelerate their growth,' said Mohamad Haris. He added that the iCON Yan development is fully completed and will begin operations soon, while iCON Baling has reached 90 per cent completion. 'Demand for business space at both locations has been very encouraging due to rental rates being significantly lower than market value,' he said. Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi said the state government is grateful and fully supports NCER's efforts to develop the iCON projects in Kedah, calling it a meaningful initiative to bridge the urban–rural development gap by unlocking the potential of less-developed areas. 'I hope NCER will continue to play its role in supporting the Kedah state government's socio-economic development efforts. 'I am confident there is still considerable potential in Kedah to be tapped, particularly in the investment, tourism, and agriculture sectors,' he said.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Perak, Perhilitan to tackle rising human-elephant conflicts
IPOH: The state government will hold discussions with the Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) to seek a solution to the recurring human-elephant conflict along the East-West Highway (JRTB) from Gerik to Jeli. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state acknowledged the recent developments in the area and is taking the matter seriously. He said that a study on elephant behaviour would be conducted as part of efforts to address the issue. "I've discussed this matter with the relevant authorities, and we need to understand elephant behaviour more comprehensively. Recently, we've observed herds of elephants crossing that route together. "There may be an underlying reason prompting the animals to cross. Therefore, we will consult with Perhilitan, who possess deeper expertise in this area. We need to study the elephants' habits and what triggers these crossings," he said. He told reporters this after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Perak State Gathering Ceremony at the Casuarina Hotel today. Saarani said that during the development of the Ganda Agropolitan Project in Gerik, rubber plantations had previously been disrupted by elephants foraging for food. "In the end, we reached a compromise by designating a specific area for the elephants. This prevented further disturbances. That experience helped us better understand their behaviour. "So in relation to this incident along the JRTB, I'm not certain of the cause. We need to investigate whether it was due to an accident involving a calf or another factor," he said. He also urged motorists to remain vigilant when travelling along the route to prevent any untoward incidents. Yesterday, police suggested that an elephant attack, which damaged a car along the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway last night, might have been triggered by a car horn that startled the animals. This conclusion is based on a report lodged by the 39-year-old owner of the damaged vehicle regarding the incident, which occurred at Km11 of the highway. Gerik district police chief Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood said the incident took place at 8.15pm, when the driver, travelling in a Toyota Vios from Jeli towards Gerik, encountered a group of elephants crossing the road.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak secures RM450mil in foreign investments from Europe trip, says Saarani
IPOH: Perak has secured RM450mil in foreign investments following a recent working visit to Europe, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said more investors are expected to follow suit. He said the state delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, meeting with key industry players in sectors ranging from construction, chemicals to aquaculture and automotive testing. 'In France, we visited Solvay, a company established since 1945 that has been active in rare earth reprocessing and extraction. 'We were introduced to their latest separation technology, which could have significant implications for future industrial partnerships,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) 'Ramah Mesra' event at a hotel here on Thursday (May 22). Saarani said the delegation also held talks with Saint-Gobain, a construction materials manufacturer in France, with existing operations in Kanthan, Ipoh. 'The company is set to increase its Malaysian investment by RM2mil. 'Lhoist in Belgium, a multinational lime and minerals company with a quarry in Ayer Kuning in Tapah, has committed to an additional RM250mil investment in Perak,' he added. Saarani also said three potential investors fro Belgium have been identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) project. He said among them is a ship-breaking and recycling company, as well as firms involved in logistics and related infrastructure. 'These three companies have expressed serious interest and are expected to visit Lumut this June to inspect proposed sites and begin discussions with local authorities,' Saarani said. Saarani added that while in Belgium, the Perak team also met with a professor on aquaculture nutrition. He said the discussion focused on Artemia, a live shrimp feed that plays a crucial role in shrimp farming. 'We are planning a collaboration with the professor through the state's subsidiary Perak state Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC). 'We aim to develop a shrimp farming project,' he added. Saarani said the confirmed investment is RM450mil not including the shrimp collaboration, or the three potential investors for LuMIC. Saarani added that the delegation to Britain visited the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, as part of the state's plan to develop a similar automotive track in Sungkai. 'We reviewed the site layout and studied the advanced technologies in use. 'It is more than just a test track, it includes research and development facilities as well. 'We are exploring the possibility of transferring this technology to Perak so we can establish a comparable centre in Sungkai,' he added.
