KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) has attracted RM9.5 billion in committed investments to Pahang year-to-date, exceeding the RM5.1 billion in committed investments targeted for the state in 2021 by the council.
In a statement today, ECERDC said this is anticipated to create more than 6,700 new jobs and 170 entrepreneurial opportunities for the rakyat in Pahang.
The year has also seen ECERDC realising investments amounting to RM2 billion in the state.
ECERDC chief executive officer Baidzawi Che Mat said despite not being able to lead overseas investment missions or hold physical events, the council has organised three webinars in the first half of 2021 to engage and attract international investors.
"These investment webinars saw over 900 potential investors participating, and ECERDC remains confident of attracting new investments into the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) and Pahang," he said.
Baidzawi said that ECERDC would continue to implement high-impact projects and initiatives that will bring about long-term benefits to the economy and raise the people's living standards in Pahang.
"Pahang remains at the forefront of economic growth in ECER, with a strong contribution from the manufacturing sector.
"ECERDC is committed to ensuring this economic growth continues in the state so that the benefits will spill over to other states as new strategic sectors and their respective value chains continue to grow and evolve across the ECER," he said.
The economic council maintains its focus on boosting economic growth in Pahang Barat through agriculture and tourism activities.
"The Pahang state government has identified suitable land in Pahang Barat for ECER Dairy Valley project, which aims to raise the country's self-sufficiency level (SSL) of fresh milk by 40 per cent to reduce dependence on imported milk.
"ECERDC will also continue its efforts to drive the agrofood@ECER initiatives to address food security concerns by focusing on farming sectors, including coconuts and fertigation crops such as chilis and tomatoes.
"This growth area will be further supported by strategic infrastructure projects that enhance its connectivity such as the central spine road (CSR), which will be pivotal in the overall economic development across Pahang and ECER," it said.