KUALA LUMPUR: The Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP), bordering Kerian district in Penang and Kedah, has been hailed as a strategically significant initiative by an expert.
Prominent economist Professor Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said the strategic initiative gives him confidence that KIGIP will form a great northern Malaysia growth triangle; in Batu Kawan-Kulim-Kerian.
"It has the potential to attract high-value investments within the country and also from abroad," he said in a Facebook post.
"This idea focuses on the green technology industry which is great for our country," he wrote.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the KIGIP Master Plan earlier today. Noor Azlan said the announcement marked a historic day for Kerian, the northwestern district of Perak.
Noor Azlan said Kerian district has crucial logistics infrastructure including twin railway tracks, three stations, and access via the PLUS highway at Bukit Merah, Alor Pongsu, and Bandar Bahru.
Meanwhile, Bayan Lepas has become a global hub for electronics and electrical industries, with its success now spreading to Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP) and Kulim Hi-Tech Park.
"Bayan Lepas International Airport will be just 40-50 minutes away now that the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is being built, and the Penang port is nearby.
"KIGIP will add significant value to this existing infrastructure and complete a new industrial triangle focused on green technology in northern Malaysia," he said.
Noor Azlan also said a thorough socio-economic study of Kerian is necessary.
"This study should assess the current situation and identify steps to ensure Kerian residents can fully participate in the opportunities created by KIGIP." he said.
KIGIP is among the key initiatives that are in the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) launched last year.
He said, it also fulfills the four key missions of NIMP 2030, namely; advancing economic sophistication, accelerating the adaptation of technology and digitization, driving net-zero carbon emissions, and ensuring economic security and inclusivity.
Noor Azlan also showed his appreciation towards Anwar and Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz for the idea of a new industrial zone.
