Private investments in Pahang have continued to flourish, largely driven by the collaboration between the Federal Gove
rnment through the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) and the State Government to deliver high-impact projects and public infrastructure works which have become the catalyst to transform Pahang into a top destination for investors.
As at May 2017, Pahang has successfully secured RM56.9 billion in domestic and foreign investments, creating over 53,565 job opportunities for the Rakyat, which have in turn uplifted the livelihood of the Rakyat in the state.
The total private investments in Pahang’s manufacturing sector now stands at RM29 billion, with more than 35,400 job opportunities created, when the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) recently secured an investment for a new chemical fertiliser manufacturing plant from Sichuan Migao Chemical Fertilizer Industry Co., Ltd.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Cybercentre at Pahang Technology Park (PTP) is on track for completion by August this year and this will facilitate the growth of halal food, biotechnology, information and communication technology as well as agritech industries which will be located in PTP. Tagged as among the fastest-growing global businesses across the world, these industries are emerging as a new growth area in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector and this development will provide a platform for greater investments into these segments.
“Following the Federal and State Government’s strong partnership, Pahang has now emerged as a competitive and resilient destination of choice for investors. The Federal Government will continue to invest in developing high-impact projects and strategic infrastructure to further facilitate and spur the creation of new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for the Rakyat through increased investments and socio-economic growth,” said Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, after the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC) Pahang meeting which was chaired by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan bin Haji Yaakob recently.
Investments into Pahang are expected to be accelerated with the completion of several infrastructure projects. One of the key developments includes the Kuantan Port Expansion (KPE) which is set to become a deep water port by 2018.
Currently, the construction of a breakwater at Kuantan Port is in an advanced stage while the external infrastructure works at the port, such as the interchange, flyover and new port entry road are on track for completion in phases. Kuantan Port is set to offer investors in MCKIP and the ECER one of the fastest routes to major ports in China and other Asia Pacific markets, reinforcing the region as the “Gateway to Asia Pacific”.
Further to this, the 600km East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) will significantly enhance connectivity across the Region, hence expanding the market for resources and trade. The ECRL will directly link key economic and industrial areas within the ECER including Bentong, Mentakab, Maran, Gambang, Kuantan Sentral, Kuantan Port and Cherating in Pahang up to Tumpat in Kelantan with Port Klang in the West Coast, creating more new growth centres and opening up more job and entrepreneurial opportunities for the locals in the region.
Earlier this year, ECERDC officially handed over the Ganchong Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to the State Government following the completion of Package 1 and 2. The WTP currently delivers some 80 million litres of clean treated water each day which ensures uninterrupted supply of water for more than 80,000 people in Pekan and surrounding areas.
In tandem with the increasing economic progress in the state, ECERDC is implementing works under Package 3 to further extend the WTP’s water distribution pipes to further benefit the Rakyat in the district of Nenasi by 2018.
Entrepreneurship and support for SMEs remain as one of the core pillars of ECERDC’s strategy to fuel the region’s socio-economy. In this regard, 43 projects worth RM7.05 billion from Bumiputera companies have received incentives from either ECER Incentive Package or Facilitation Fund under TERAJU@ECER or both.
These projects are expected to generate 4,294 job opportunities for the Rakyat. Between 2012 to May 2017, TERAJU@ECER has approved facilitation funds amounting to RM45.5 million to 21 projects in the state, involving investments of up to RM357.1 million.
In addition, the Kompleks Serambi Teruntum which will become a one-stop centre for tourists and locals, is expected to commence operations by September 2017. Upon completion, 94 Pasar Tani traders and micro entrepreneurs from the town centre will be relocated to enjoy the amenities of this new Complex.
On top of it, new local entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to operate their businesses, offering a wide range of food, drinks and handicrafts. About 30% of the business space at the Complex is allocated for entrepreneurs who have participated in ECERDC’s inclusive human capital development programmes, namely empower ECER and entrepreneur ECER.
On the human capital development front, more than 55,000 Rakyat in Pahang have benefitted from ECERDC’s programmes such as empower ECER, entrepreneur ECER and Agropolitan. These programmes have successfully created and developed 9,306 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs which in turn have created 15,699 job opportunities to the locals. About 97% of all participants in the programmes are from the Below 40 (B40) income category.
“In line with the National Transformation Agenda and Malaysia’s vision to become a high-income nation, we will continue to invest in public infrastructure projects, promote investments as well as upskill the local talent pool in the ECER with the ultimate aim of empowering the Rakyat and improving their livelihood,” concluded Issace.