Najib witnesses documents exchange worth RM1.3 bil in Northern Corridor

Four companies with a total investment of RM1.3 billion will set up new initiatives and innovation facilities in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (Northern Corridor).

The four parties are Great Realty Sdn Bhd, Duria Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Perlis Farmers Organisation Board and Tandop Hotel Sdn Bhd.

The exchange of documents between the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), the body responsible for establishing directions, policies and strategies of the Northern Corridor, and the four parties was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here, today.

The ceremony was held following the conclusion of the 15th Council Meeting of the NCIA, which was chaired by Najib, who is also Finance Minister, earlier.

Also present at the meeting were Perak Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Perlis MB Datuk Seri Azlan Man, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Kedah Industry and Investment, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail.

"Under the agreement, the companies will be setting up new initiatives and innovation facilities within the region, which will result in a significant volume of spillover effects such as business opportunities, logistics enhancement as well as enhancing the lifestyle of the rakyat," said NCIA in a statement issued in conjunction with the council meeting.

At the documents exchange, NCIA was represented by its chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq.

Great Realty, a subsidiary of Belleview Sdn Bhd, which built Aman Central in Alor Setar which is touted as the largest mall in the northern region, was represented by its managing director Datuk Sonny Ho Kiong Chan.

Duria Manufacturing, which specialises in the downstream processing and marketing of durian-based products, was represented by its managing director Wong Woei Meng while Tandop Hotel, one of the largest and fastest growing economy lodging chains in the northern region, was represented by its chief executive officer Low Wey Heng.

The Perlis Farmers Organisation Board was represented by its director Shaidan Nordin.

The organisation will be involved in modern agriculture using greenhouses with automated fertigation system to increase the production yield of crops with four Area Farmers Organisation (PPK) in the state, namely PPK Paya, PPK Beseri, PPK Mata Ayer and PPK Bintong.