Positive NCER report card

BUTTERWORTH: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development has created a positive outlook and boosted business opportunities for the local community, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Chief Executive, Datuk Redza Rafiq said.
"The NCER's development programme represents the federal government's initiative to accelerate economic growth and elevate income levels in Penang, Kedah, the north of Perak and Perlis," he added.
"Last year, the NCER recorded its best performance to date and in Penang alone, the NCIA has managed to facilitate the creation of 6,659 jobs with a total of 50,130 jobs generated over the last five years," he told Bernama.
Redza said the NCIA facilitated the establishment of the Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, creating 242 jobs and training facilities.
In the logistics thrust, Redza said the construction of the new Penang Sentral Temporary Transportation Terminal in front of the old temporary terminal has been completed by Penang Sentral Sdn Bhd in January this year.
He said the temporary terminal was open to the public since February while at the same time, piling works for the terminal had started at the location of the previous temporary terminal.
"The Penang Sentral project will not only enhance the logistics sector and mobility of people in the Butterworth area, but also to the surrounding areas as well as the neighbouring states within NCER," he said.
Furthermore, Redza said the recently unveiled Design Village Penang project in Batu Kawan would bring premium shopping experience to NCER and is expected to be the catalyst for the tourism and retail industry in the Seberang Prai area.
"Phase one of the project is expected to complete by the end of next year while full completion by 2021. Design Village Penang is projected to create more than 2,700 jobs and bring economic spillover effect to the state and NCER," he said. – Bernama