Negri Sembilan (NS) is on the right track towards becoming a developed state after recording an encouraging growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A 1.8 per cent GDP growth was recorded last year, compared with 5.6 per cent the previous year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said despite facing a challenging global economic environment, NS was able to achieve positive GDP growth.
He said the services sector was the main contributor with a strong performance of 4.5 per cent, offsetting the moderate growth of the manufacturing sector at 1.2 per cent, in addition to the 4.9 per cent contraction in the agricultural sector.
"The good performance of the services sector was supported by the increase in tourist activity, as Negri Sembilan recorded a significant rise in domestic tourist arrivals in 2023 with an annual growth of 30.2 per cent, jumping to 15 million tourists, compared with 11.5 million in 2022.
"Among the large-scale activities organised was the NS Fest held from July 27 until Aug 3, which recorded 969,000 visitors throughout the eight days of the programme.
"In line with Visit Negri Sembilan Year 2026, the state government will increase the development of tourism products based on the determination of tourism segments," he said.
To strengthen productivity and drive the state's progress, Aminuddin said the state government is focusing on high-tech industries involving seven clusters.
These are semiconductors, aerospace, maritime, driverless vehicles, electric vehicles, smart cities and oil and gas logistics hubs.
Commenting on the inflation rate, the Menteri Besar said NS recorded a moderate rate last year at two per cent, compared with 2.8 per cent in 2022.
This followed lower global commodity prices, gradually recovering supply disruptions, price controls and subsidies for selected goods.
In addition, the Labor Force Participation Rate (KPTB) in the state increased by one percentage point to 66.1 per cent in 2023, compared with 65.1 per cent in 2022, with the people's monthly income also improving.
Regarding investment, Aminuddin said NS recorded the highest investment of RM10.1 billion for 2023.
According to him, this figure exceeded what was targeted, and even exceeded the highest ever recorded in 2022, which was RM8.9 billion.
"Manufacturing is the most important sector because it recorded 75 per cent, equivalent to RM7.6 billion, while the services sector contributed 25 per cent (RM2.5 billion)," he said.
In terms of foreign investment, Aminuddin said the state received RM6.04 billion for 2023, with the largest investment from Sandvik Equipment Sdn Bhd from Sweden for the manufacturing of battery packs in Sendayan.
Similarly, the value of domestic investment also recorded a positive performance of RM4.05 billion for the manufacturing and selected services sectors.
Aminuddin said the state government is focusing on high-tech projects and intends to open more strategic industrial areas.
The state government is also providing investment incentives, including setting a premium payment discount rate of 15 per cent for 30 days from the date of receiving Notice 5A or 7G from the District Land Office beginning Jan 1 this year.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar said a study on the happiness index in 2024 showed that all residents of Negri Sembilan were satisfied with all the components which were evaluated, giving the state a score of 4.75.
"Port Dickson was awarded one of the 10 Happiest Cities in Malaysia while Tampin received the Happiest Community Town award," he said, adding that the state government is channelling various assistance to all disadvantaged and needy community groups in the state.
"The assistance and initiatives provided are among the government's continuous efforts and commitment to improving the living standards of the people of this state," Aminuddin said.