NCIA has attracted RM2.2 bil in investments in Perak so far this year
12 May 2023
The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) has so far attracted RM2.2 billion worth of investments in cooperation with the Perak state government as well as federal and state investment agencies this year.
The figure represents an increase of 24.3% compared with last year, with a total of 3,816 jobs created, which is a 28.5% rise.
According to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Perak is on the right track to meet the target of attracting RM4.2 billion in approved investments and 3,780 job creations in 2023.
“In 2023, the state government is optimistic about the economic prospects in the state with continued investment in key growth sectors and the development of new industries such as the digital and gig economies.
“With the support of the initiatives developed and managed by NCIA, we are confident that Perak will continue to progress and provide opportunities for the people and the business community,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Earlier, Saarani chaired the Perak Steering Committee Meeting at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here.
Meanwhile, in the same statement, NCIA chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said the authority had introduced various human capital programmes to upskill local workers in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
He said the NCIA implemented various initiatives such as upskilling programmes, internships and mentoring programmes to help SMEs retain talent through incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces to help SMEs access the necessary resources.
“NCIA has implemented several programmes to support SMEs and upskill talent in line with the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Strategic Development Plan and the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12).
“Among them is the Entrepreneur Fund (DU@NCER) which provides financing assistance to SMEs to help develop businesses that focus on the core industry sectors in NCER,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Haris said the NCIA in collaboration with the Orang Asli Welfare Department had started a project to address poverty among the Orang Asli community by establishing the Lata Kinjang Orang Asli Cooperative.
He said the cooperative was appointed as the main operator of the Lata Kinjang Forest Eco Park to generate sustainable income from eco-tourism activities and facilities.
“The Lata Kinjang Forest Eco Park, with various eco-tourism attractions such as waterfalls, campsites, picnic facilities and other basic infrastructure has been open since August last year.
“As of February this year, Lata Kinjang has received more than 57,000 local and foreign visitors while more than 1,400 local residents from seven surrounding villages have benefited from the economic spillover generated by the influx of tourists to the waterfall park,” he said.
Source: Bernama
