PKNK brands Kedah to the world FOR
more than 50 years, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Kedah (PKNK) has boosted economic development in the state. Its roles of creating, redistributing and re-energising the economic and wealth landscape in Kedah have allowed many people to obtain benefits.
PKNK prides itself on re-engineering its workforce, work processes and productivity to identify, plan and implement its development programmes in line with the Malaysia 2030 Agenda, as well as in meeting sustainable development goals.
PKNK’s goal is to spearhead socioeconomic development and the development of industrial-commercial properties. In industrial development, PKNK pioneered the creation and development of industrial areas in Alor Star, Sungai Petani, Kulim, Gurun, Bukit Kayu Hitam and Kuala Ketil.
Most of these areas were once backwaters, but they are now industrial areas.
Today, tens of thousands work and live near these industrial areas.
Real estate and commercial properties, built by the government and private companies, are flourishing.
PKNK has developed the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, the first-ever integrated industrial real estate dedicated to hosting advanced technologies.
Established in 1996, Kulim Hi-Tech Park is the pride of Kedah and Malaysia, and it is still expanding.
PKNK has transformed the economic structure and landscape of Kedah from one that is dependent on agriculture, such as padi and rubber, to an economy that thrives on manufacturing and services sectors.
Manufacturing and services account for 60 per cent of Kedah’s economy, while agriculture makes up 30 per cent.
PKNK has developed more than 10 industrial estates and is looking forward to more. Its next project is to develop the fully-integrated Kedah Science and Technology Park (KSTP) in Bukit Kayu Hitam.
The masterplan has been approved and the first company is targeted to start operations this year.
KSTP welcomes investors who are into component R&D and manufacturing, agro-science, advanced materials, biotechnology, green technology, halal science, ICT and R&D.
Companies in the target industries are welcome to approach PKNK or InvestKedah to know more about KSTP.
Another mega project in the pipeline is Bandar Bebas Cukai at Bukit Kayu Hitam, which will be developed by the state government.
PKNK owns about 240ha of the development, and will focus on developing residential properties. It is planning to develop a railway line from Kodiang to Bandar Bebas Cukai to speed up the growth of this self-contained city.
PKNK is assisting the state government to obtain an approval from the Federal Government to build a new airport, the third in the state, called Kulim International Airport.
Besides these mega projects, PKNK will develop and redevelop industrial estates and position them to avoid being branded as locations for cheap labour.
The first new industrial area on 80ha is in Pokok Sena, and will be developed through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Seri Temin Development Corporation Sdn Bhd.
In Gunung Jerai, the company is looking at a joint venture with a private company to develop tourism products.
In Langkawi, PKNK is looking at ways to revive Langkawi marble, known for its high-quality white marble, also known as Mahsuri White, which at one time was the pride of Langkawi.
PKNK is turning Ukir Mall into a onestop centre for certain industries, such as wedding or haj pilgrimage or youth town concept, and will make the mall a trading centre for tenants and customers. This strategy should please entrepreneurs looking to capitalise on having customers from targeted industries.
The company signed an agreement with Tokachi Food Valley of Hokkaido to tap its expertise in food production, advanced agricultural research and downstream food industries, for the development of Kedah Food Valley, which is scheduled to begin next year.
PKNK will bring value-added benefits to new projects so that it can brand Kedah totheworld.