PENANG will soon have a new industrial park in Kepala Batas (north Seberang Perai district) to cater foreign investors’ interests in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi that the state has looked into industrial land issue after having attracted various foreign investments last year and the preceeding years.
Takahashi was paying a courtesy call on Chow in the latter’s office in Komtar today.
“The Kepala Batas Industrial Park, which is estimated to be ready by the second half of this year to attract investors, is close to Kulim and it takes about a 20-minute drive from the Penang Bridge.
“This is the urgent measure taken to ensure sufficient land for the factories.
“We hope that Penang can remain the destination of choice for many investors, especially from Japan, through this initiative.
“We will make further announcement when everything is ready,” he said.
They also discussed various topics, including the state’s tourism, Covid-19 situation, Japanese community, and other related matters.
Takahashi expressed his hopes that the annual Bon Odori festival would take place this year.
“It is an annual event, which will attract tourists to the state.
“We hope that it can be held, at least in a small-scale event, amid the pandemic,” he said.
Chow too hoped the festival would materialise this year, although it would be subject to the situation at that time.
On the state tourism’s outlook, Chow told Takahashi that Penang has always been one of the locals’ favourite destinations.
“In fact, the hotels have been enjoying a good occupancy rate in December and January.
“There are now fewer grouses from the tourism operators as the state’s tourism is gaining pace.
“Visitors to Penang Hill have increased in the past few months after the local borders have been reopened,” he said.
Takahashi noted the presence of a sizeable of Japanese community in the state and said he looked forward to the strengthening of the bilateral relations between Japan and Penang in years to come.
Chow and Takahashi also exchanged souvenirs at the end of session.
Also present was consul-general of Japan in Penang Hiroyuki Orikasa.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian