MCKIP, QIP Can Promote Malaysia-China Sustainable Economic Ties, Says Liow

1/20/2013 — Bernama

BENTONG, Jan 20 (Bernama) — The industrial parks being developed in Kuantan and in Qinzhou, China, can pave the way for a higher level of sustainable economic relations between Malaysia and China, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) and its twin industrial park, Qinzhou Industrial Park, can be instrumental in forging a vibrant economic collaborations between the two friendly nations.
“The two parks and the entry of foreign investors from throughout the world will also boost growth of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“SMEs’ growth will not only create more job opportunities but also attract the youth, who previously have to migrate to other states to find jobs, to come back to work in their own state.
“The people in Pahang, including those residing in west Pahang such as in Bentong, Raub and Lipis, will enjoy ample job opportunities,” said Liow, who is also MCA deputy president and Bentong Member of Parliament.
The minister said the two parks, being developed with the support of the private sector, would help promote investment inflows which would be beneficial to both countries.
He said the MCKIP would offer investment opportunities in trade and industry for investors from China, Asean, Australia and other countries. The industries invited for MCKIP are plastics and metal equipment manufacturing, automotive parts, electronics components and information and communications technology, he said.
Earlier, Liow handed certificates to 353 students who scored excellent results in Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations in the Bentong parliamentary
constituency.
The students from Bentong, Raub, Lipis, Cameron Highlands and Temerloh were picked to attend tuition classes under the Empower Programme initiated by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council since 2010.
Liow said the council not only played the role to bring in investments to the industrial sector in the east coast states but also functioned as an agency that guides students to excel in their academic pursuits and provide skills training.
He said the success of the programme proved that the council had helped develop human capital among students who were once categorised as mediocre and weak in their academic performance.
“Apart from academic excellence, the Empower Programme has also succeeded in guiding poor people to learn entrepreneurial skills such as sewing, cooking, pastry, repairing electronic appliances and handphones.
“More than 80 per cent of the people who attended the Empower courses have now become small-time businessmen and petty traders earning RM1,600 to RM3,800 a month,” he added.