GEORGE TOWN: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Development Blueprint 2016-2025 (Blueprint 2.0), launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today, is set to transform Peninsular Malaysia’s four northern states into a world-class economic region with an economy worth RM300 billion by 2025.
Focusing on seven catalytic growth node projects, 28 transcending border projects and 45 localised high-impact projects, it will create 161,197 jobs across Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.
The four northern states will also enjoy a cumulative investment of RM146.5 billion in the three main sectors of manufacturing, agriculture and bio-industries and services and sub-sectors.
Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said the strategies, growth nodes and projects in the Blueprint 2.0 were refined based on their importance to the people and the future direction of the NCER.
“The 80 strategic projects in the Blueprint 2.0 will continue to spur the economic growth in the region and help the states in the NCER to fulfil their respective economic potentials.
“This can be seen in the increase in gross domestic product (GDP), job creation, increase in income and skill as well as contribute to better standard of living for the northern people,” he said in his speech prior to the launch of the Blueprint 2.0 at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (SPICE) Arena here, today.
Present were Najib, Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man, Perak MB Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Also present was special adviser to the prime minister on the NCER Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman.
Penang was chosen as the location for the unveiling of the Blueprint 2.0 following its launch in the other three northern states.
Redza also said the people in the northern region were the “body and soul” of the Blueprint 2.0.
He also reflected on former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's speech during the launch of the Blueprint 1.0 in 2007, where the premier had said the initiatives in NCER were made up of programmes and approaches aimed at stimulating the socioeconomic development for the welfare of the people.
“The agenda to address and to reduce the regional imbalances is succeeded by the current prime minister and the benefit from this continuity is enjoyed by all layers of society,” he added.
Redza said since its inception, the NCER had succeeded in attracting RM79.9 billion worth investments and created 103,597 jobs as of Dec 31 last year.
The Blueprint 2.0, anchored on the theme "Growth with Social Equity", which enters its third wave, is in line with the national plans and state priorities.
Besides enhancing inclusiveness to create an equitable society, it also focuses on re-engineering growth and productivity in priority sectors, strengthening infrastructure to support connectivity and growth, fostering human capital development for an advanced region, and addressing investors’ needs.
The seven catalytic growth node projects — two each in Perlis, Kedah and Perak and one in Penang — are aimed at creating a significant economic multiplying effect.
The projects, which include the Perlis Inland Port (PIP), Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA), Kedah Science and Technology Park (KSTP), Kedah Rubber City (KRC), Greater Kamunting Conurbation (GKC), Manjung-Aman Jaya Maritime City and Batu Kawan Development, are expected to reduce regional imbalances by expanding development to priority areas.
As for the 28 transcending borders projects, they will have a diverse outcome to multiple states in terms of economic and social growth.
Among the projects are the technical and vocational education and training (TVET), establishment of NCER turism hub, airport connectivity from Alor Star Airport to Kangar, increase internet braodband services in public universities, establishment of talent hub in northern corridor (THINC) and the Penang Sentral
integrated public transport terminal.
The 45 localised high-impact projects, which will have specific outcomes to the state and require NCIA's support in terms of funding, approval and other forms of facilitation, include the stage bus service transformation (including in Sungai Petani and the Muallim district), community innovation centre (CIC), upgrading works for Padang Besar railway terminal and the smart city initiative (Fibre Forward Penang).