NINETY percent of the government projects have been given to the local contractors, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“The president of Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA) Datuk Lim Chee Tong asked me why the government contracts are given to contractors outside of Penang during his courtesy visit last year.
“I sourced the information from the Penang Development Corporation, Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council on the projects awarded to the contractors.
“Then I gave him (Chee Tong) the list of the government contracts awarded to contractors, and he found out that 90 percent of the contracts were awarded to Penang-based contractors,” said Chow at the PMBBMDA’s 142nd Anniversary Dinner on September 18.
“So, if you can fulfil the requirements and give the best price like what my predecessor Lim Guan Eng used to say, you will definitely be awarded with the government projects.”
The Chief Minister also gave a detailed account on the progress of several major infrastructure projects, namely Penang International Airport extension, Penang Transport Master Plan and Penang South Reclamation.
Apart from that, Chow also commended PMBBMDA for their desire to come up with the Construction One-Stop Service Centre.
“Datuk Lim told me that the association wants to set up a Construction One-Stop Service Centre at the Penang Chinese Town Hall.
“If there is any request from him (Datuk Lim), to assist the association with regards to setting up of the centre, the state government is willing to assist them.
“The association plays an important role (by collaborating with the state government) in bringing more development to the state.
“Other than what I have announced just now (projects) which are already in public domain, I have also received some good proposals for Penang,
“With such projects, I believe Penang’s economy will continue to be vibrant and continue to grow,” Chow said.
PMBBMDA is one of the oldest trade associations in Penang, which has contributed in numerous ways to the development of Penang.
Also present were organising chairman Lim Chin Khon, executive adviser Lim Hun Swee and Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Hong Yeam Wah.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis