Anwar: Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 showcases Penang’s industrial sector success
16 Feb 2024
The development of Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 (BKIP3) showcases Penang’s great success in the industrial sector, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The history of Penang is indeed special, through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which has explored the industry relatively early and charted changes in the structure of the country’s economic growth.
“We admit that the surge in industrial programmes and progress in Penang has put pressure on the state’s infrastructure in terms of roads, ports and airports,” he said during the BKIP3 groundbreaking ceremony here on Friday.
Hence, he said the federal government wants to speed up the implementation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project and the expansion of the Penang International Airport.
Anwar added that he was also aware of the water problems in Penang, especially in industrial areas such as the BKIP (Batu Kawan Industrial Park).
“The good news is that efforts to develop the new Kerian hi-tech industrial area will bring spillover benefits (investment and economic development) to South Seberang Perai (SPS), including Sungai Acheh.
“The supply of water and energy, which is concentrated from Sungai Perak and the Kerian area, will be carried out by the federal government; therefore, the abundant water supply from Kerian will ‘flow’ to Seberang Perai. So, we (the federal government) will speed up the Perak-Penang water deal,” he said.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was also present, said the BKIP3 is the 10th industrial park developed by PDC, which is a continuation of the BKIP.
He said that BKIP3, which will cost a total of RM2.2 billion, proves the commitment of the Penang state government through PDC, to provide more industrial parks to accommodate the demand from foreign and domestic investors.
“BKIP3, which covers 407 acres, will be developed in four phases, of which the first phase of over 60 acres is expected to be completed in 2025.
“The development of BKIP3 is expected to bring positive economic spillover benefits, not only to the entire state of Penang but also to the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, due to the connectivity of quality infrastructure, such as the North-South Expressway, the Penang International Airport, the Penang Bridge, the Penang Port and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge,” Chow said.
Source: Bernama
