Kedah Medical Science City to complement Kulim Hi-Tech Park — Mukhriz
The Kedah Medical Science City will be built on a 264- hectare site in Bandar Baharu near here to house a cluster of companies involved in medical science research and development, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said.
He said the city would complement the Kulim Hi-Tech Park by having specialised services like a wellness centre and factories churning out high- end medical devices and appliances.
“We have spoken to related companies from Germany and Italy, and they are keen to come to Kedah because of the electrical and electronics industry that we have here (at Kulim Hi-Tech).
“The ecosystem can turn Kedah into a medical science technology hub. We are constantly in communication with several potential investors,” he told reporters after officiating the ground- breaking ceremony an Abbott’s plant at the Kulim HiTech Park here yesterday.
Abbott, one of the world’s leading healthcare companies, is building a US$ 60 million ( RM192 million) plant to manufacture intraocular lens ( IOLs) for cataract treatment.
Mukhriz said Abbott’s presence fits nicely into Kedah’s strategy to attract more medical science companies to invest in the Medical Science City in Bandar Baharu.
“Abbott’s decision to invest in Kulim Hi-Tech proved Kedah’s ability in attracting a high quality investment in the medical sector,” he said.
On Kulim Hi-Tech Park’s expansion, he said 162.4 more hectares would be opened in phase four of the park in the middle of next month to bring the total area to 1,760 hectares.
“There are already potential investors in iconic brand medical equipment companies eyeing the new site and they in discussion with Kulim High-Tech,” he said.
Mukhriz said to make Kulim Hi- Tech more conducive to industries, the state plans to expand it further, build a new international airport 30 minutes away, and link it to a new highway.
On the proposed international airport development, Mukhriz said yesterday that he had presented the proposal to the Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“It was concluded that a feasibility study on the new airport needed to be conducted by EPU ( Economic Planning Unit). We hope it can be done soon. We have expounded why the airport should be built,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Mukhriz said since its inception in 1996, the Kulim Hi-Tech Park has attracted RM34 billion in foreign investment.
“If the Kedah New Transformation efforts were to materialise, the new international airport will be just around Kulim Hi-Tech Park and this will position Kedah as the gateway to Southeast Asia for many businesses and is conducive for commercial expansion in various industries.
“By then, Kulim Hi-Tech will be set to expand for another 2,800 hectares,” he said. — Bernama