Kedah to implement state transformation plan

Kedah is aiming to boost its economy by implementing the state transformation plan which allows more domestic and foreign investors to explore new sectors within it.

Menteri Besar Datuk Paduka Mukhriz Tun Mahathir said the state government was planning to have its own economic power hub, which will generate local innovation activities that are in high demand globally.

"The tourism sector is the second highest contributor to Kedah's gross national income (GNI)and we will see what can be done to boost the sector," he told a press conference here after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Pekan Artisan Sdn Bhd.

He said Kedah had many attractions to boost its economy, especially Langkawi, which as a renowned island, can attract many investors, both locally and internationally.

Mukhriz said Langkawi, a potential contributor to Kedah's GNI, could attract more than three million tourists annually, with a projected tourism-related GNI of RM3.8 billion by 2015.

"For starters, we are working on attracting approximately RM5 billion in investments, while creating at least 4,200 new jobs for local islanders and boost tourist arrivals," he added.

He said last year, with approximately three million recorded tourist arrivals to Langkawi, the revenue receipts were around RM2.6 billion.

According to Mukhriz, Langkawi had benefited from both domestic and foreign investments since the implementation of the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint (2011-2015).

In December 2011, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak launched the blueprint to position Langkawi to be one of the top 10 island destinations.

The objective of the blueprint is to boost economic activities and add additional infrastructure to cater to the influx of the three million visitors by 2015 and creating 4200 jobs.