NCER blueprint 2.0 sets out 80 projects
GEORGE TOWN: The Enhancement Programme and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Blueprint 2.0 development, scheduled to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tomorrow, will ensure that every level of society, especially those in the four northern states will reap their benefits.
Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, said 80 projects, comprising seven growth nodes, 28 cross-border projects and 45 local high-impact projects, were outlined to spur economic growth in Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis in the quest to achieve the target of RM300 billion gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025.
“The NCER has carried out various programmes to ensure that things go according to plan through three waves of development, namely Infrastructure Development Catalyst, Capacity Building, and Enhancement and Blueprint 2.0.
“The NCER is currently on the third wave -- the Enhancement and Blueprint 2.0 development wave. And the strength of each state has been taken into account in fulfilling the plan at the national level where Blueprint 2.0 plays an important role in ensuring that every programme or project, which tailored to and focused on each state, is carried out in stages and smoothly,” he told Bernama.
Themed “Social Equality-Driven Growth”, Blueprint 2.0 is aimed at spurring sustainable and inclusive economic development in all states under the NCER through the introduction of new industries, investment in human capital development, job creation and strategic entrepreneurship.
Redza Rafiq said seven high-impact projects classified as growth nodes under Blueprint 2.0 would be developed during the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP).
They are the Kedah Rubber City and Kedah Science and Technology Park in Kedah; Greater Kamunting Conurbation and Manjung-Aman Jaya Maritime City in Perak; Chuping Valley Industrial Area and Perlis Inland Port in Perlis; and Batu Kawan Development in Penang, he added.
“Besides developing the growth nodes, the NCIA will continue to expand its economic agenda based on a global approach through crossborder projects such as those that require cooperation and provide economic and social benefits to more than one state, as well as local high-impact projects that would have a major impact and contribute to the state’s and Northern Corridor development,” he said.
He said the implementation of these projects also focused on promoting growth and reducing regional imbalances, as well as ensuring that the B40 households would benefit from the economic spillover directly.
The manufacturing, agriculture and agri-bio sectors, as well as services, are among the priorities in Blueprint 2.0 to drive economic growth and manage sustainable development, he said, adding that the manufacturing sector comprised two major sub-sectors, namely electrical and electronics, as well as machinery and equipment, while the agriculture and agri-bio sectors comprised agriculture and agri-biotechnology industries.
“The services sector comprises three major sub-sectors -- tourism, global business services and logistics and communications. All the 80 projects outlined in Blueprint 2.0 are from these three sectors
The NCER has carried out various programmes to ensure that things go according to plan through three waves of development, namely Infrastructure Development Catalyst, Capacity Building, and Enhancement and Blueprint 2.0. Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, NCIA chief executive officer
that complement each other and provide important support ecosystems to improve the standard of living and economic development,” he said.
Redza Rafiq said Blueprint 2.0 was created using a holistic approach involving 409 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and institutions of higher learning in sharing ideas to ensure that every level of society would benefit from the development through strategic planning.
He said Blueprint 2.0 would contribute RM300 billion to GDP by 2025 from RM225 billion in 2020, raising household income from RM8,265 in 2020 to RM12,964 by 2025 and increase household income of B40 from RM3,852 in 2020 to RM6,043 by 2025.
In addition, Blueprint 2.0 will also increase total cumulative investment from RM109.5 billion in 2020 to RM146.5 billion in 2025, as well as create 129,197 jobs in 2020 to 161,197 in 2025, he said.
Redza Rafiq said over 7,000 people from all over the country, particularly from the northern states, are expected to attend the launch of Blueprint 2.0, which would be preceded by a panel deliberation titled ‘Tomorrow’s Cities: Challenges of Urban Growth’ on issues and challenges towards achieving a more balanced socio-economic development in the NCER.
“The event aims to raise awareness and discuss the plan of action to determine the direction of the NCER socio-economic development,” he said. — Bernama