‘BRING IN MORE INVESTORS’
Turn Kelantan into a prime destination for foreign investors, says regent
SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH KOTA BARU news@nst.com.my
REGENT of Kelantan Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra has urged the state government to take proactive measures to bring in investors.
Tengku Muhammad Faiz said he was involved in efforts in collaboration with the International Trade and Industry Ministry to make Kelantan a prime destination for foreign investors, especially those from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Japan.
Speaking at the investiture held in conjunction with Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V’s 48th birthday, the regent said the state’s economy had experienced a positive growth.
Kelantan’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 4.8 per cent last year compared with 3.5 per cent in 2015.
“There is an increase in the state’s GDP growth last year compared with the previous year. Last year’s figure (4.8 per cent) has exceeded the national rate of 4.2 per cent.
“This has made Kelantan sixth among eight states, with their GDPs exceeding the expected national benchmark.
“I have been involved in the state government’s investment missions to the UAE and Tokyo, Japan, with the aim to have investors explore opportunities in Kelantan.
“I hope the state government will provide the necessary facilities to bring in investors from the two countries, in order to spur a positive growth for the state’s economy,” Tengku Muhammad Faiz said at Istana Balai Besar here yesterday.
The regent thanked the state government for its cooperation with the Federal Government in implementing the East Coast Rail Link project under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
“I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Federal Government to speed up the Central Spine Road project.
“As for the third phase of the East Coast Highway project, it should be included in the development agenda to enable a connection between the completed highway to Terengganu.”
On environmental conservation, Tengku Muhammad Faiz lauded Kelantan Forestry Department’s execution of the “royal greenery project”, which involved planting of trees along riverbanks to mitigate erosion in flood-prone areas.
“I hope such programmes can be extended to urban areas to promote the creation of green pockets in town settings.”
A total of 624 recipients were conferred awards and medals, with Army Field Commander West Lieutenant-General Datuk Azizan Md Delin heading the list.