ALOR STAR: THE Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Development Blueprint 2016-2025 (Blueprint 2.0) will stimulate the growth of Kedah, turning it into a national hub for agriculture and bio-technology industries.
Blueprint 2.0 will focus on two growth node projects, as well as cross-border and high-impact projects, to turn the state into a major contributor to the region’s economy.
The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said Blueprint 2.0 would use innovation and technology to transform the agriculture and food industries in the state.
“In Kedah, growth node projects such as Kedah Rubber City (KRC) is expected to contribute RM14.7 billion (in 15 years) towards the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), bring in RM9.7 billion in investments and create 14,471 jobs.
“The Kedah Science and Technology Park (KSTP) is also expected to contribute RM72.7 billion towards the GDP and create 23,244
jobs upon its completion in 2030.
“Together with the Kedah government, we aim to re-shape the future of the nation’s rice bowl into a hub of industrial advancement and agricultural transformation in Malaysia.”
He said this at the launching of Blueprint 2.0, which was officiated by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah recently.
Redza said Blueprint 2.0 took inspiration from the trail of success in the government’s economic transformation policies over the years — from the New Economic Policy (NEP), which promoted growth and equity to reduce poverty and unemployment, to the New Economic Model (NEM), that sought to address regional imbalances.
He added that under Blueprint 2.0, NCER also aimed to use Langkawi as a launchpad for new initiatives in the northern region tourism hub.
Bashah said Blueprint 2.0 would help Kedah become industrialised without neglecting the agriculture sector.
The development of two NCER growth node projects — KSTP in Bukit Kayu Hitam and KRC in Padang Terap — will also provide ample work opportunities for locals.
“The state government wishes to steer Kedah towards an industrialisation state, but at the same time, we will protect the agriculture industry that Kedah is known for,” he said.