Manufacturing sector and renewable energy resources set to be key contributors in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN, 10 APRIL 2022: ECERDC is optimistic in achieving a higher investment target of RM1.8 billion for the state of Kelantan in 2022, which will create over 1,200 new jobs and more than 300 entrepreneurial opportunities. As of 31 March 2022, ECERDC has already attracted RM990 million in committed investments into the state of Kelantan.
In complementing the close working relationship between Federal, State and ECERDC in strengthening the state’s competitive edge as an investment destination, Kelantan Menteri Besar, YAB Ustaz Dato’ Bentara Kanan Haji Ahmad Bin Yaakob after chairing the ECER Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC) Kelantan meeting urged ECERDC to intensify its investment promotion activities to attract Domestic Direct Investments (DDI) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the state with the opening of the country’s international borders.
YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC said that ECERDC is confident that this target can be achieved especially with the special tax incentive package for Kelantan approved by the Ministry of Finance.
Under the Kelantan Special Incentive, qualified investors will enjoy 100% income tax exemption for 15 years with an extension of another five years at a special rate of 17%. Furthermore, non-citizens holding senior management positions will only be subjected to a flat tax rate of 15% as an added incentive to attract FDIs into Kelantan.
Meanwhile, under the Tok Bali transformation plan, ECERDC will lengthen and upgrade the existing fish landing jetty that would allow for modern vessels to berth alongside traditional fishing boats which will support the downstream growth in areas such as fish processing, frozen fish and otoshimi.
In his opening remarks at the ICC Kelantan Meeting, YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan commended ECERDC for the recent completion of Laman Warisan Kampung Laut project which includes the relocation of Masjid Kampung Laut from Nilam Puri. YAB Menteri Besar also looks forward to the commencement of Palekbang Bridge project that will complement Laman Warisan Kampung Laut and the Kota Bharu Promenade as an integrated tourism-based development.
The ICC Kelantan members were also briefed about ECERDC’s plans to develop Recreational Vehicle (RV) tourism in ECER, where Lojing Highlands in Gua Musang has been identified as the pilot site for the RV Park in Kelantan.
At the same time, under the Human Capital Development programmes, ECERDC in 2022 targets to train 2,000 students in 50 schools under the empower ECER Academic Training Programme while the empower ECER Skills and Entrepreneurship Training programme is training 627 participants in Kelantan with the support of Yayasan PETRONAS.
ECERDC remains focused on supporting the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) through its PENJANA-ECERDC programmes to ensure employability of ECER’s workforce impacted by the recent pandemic. To date, 1,029 participants have been trained in Kelantan and 87% have obtained jobs with an average income of RM2,300 a month. This year, another 410 participants will be trained under this programme. Meanwhile, the ACES-ECER Jobs Train & Place programme has trained 466 participants in Kelantan of which 395 participants have been employed in the ICT industry.
Pre-ICC Berbuka Puasa Event at Laman Warisan Seni
On Saturday, ahead of the ICC Kelantan meeting, ECERDC distributed Bingkisan Ramadan for 70 families living in the vicinity of Masjid Kampung Laut. This was then followed by a visit by YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan and ICC Kelantan members to the recently completed Masjid Kampung Laut and Laman Warisan Seni. At the event, YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan also witnessed the handing over of a small contribution by YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi on behalf of ECERDC staff to 30 underprivileged families in Kampung Laut before joining a small Ramadan berbuka puasa event hosted by ECERDC.