Kedah Rubber City, an economic catalyst for the people - Mukhriz

KUALA NERANG, Feb 6  -- The Kedah state government is confident the Kedah Rubber City (KRC) project in Padang Terap here can be a catalyst for the economic growth of the people, besides contributing to the state’s income.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the project would encourage natural rubber demand for the production of high-value products, in addition to providing job opportunities for the locals.

“We also want this rubber material to be used for high-value products, preferably the value-added work should be carried out in Malaysia, especially in Kedah Rubber City,” he told a media conference during a site visit to the KRC in Bukit Ketapang here, today.

He added that the KRC development which focuses on seven main clusters is expected to create 14,500 job opportunities by 2030 and the potential to attract RM10 billion worth of investment.

"Actually, Malaysia is the most advanced country in terms of research and development (R&D) in the rubber sector, we have many rubber research institutions. Now, all R&D discoveries need to be translated into product form,

“So, we developed this place (KRC) to encourage more investors to locate their factories with their own R&D or what is already available for application in the form of products that can be marketed,” he said.

He said the seven main clusters comprised advanced latex products, automotive rubber components, rubber engineering products and biotechnology.

On the development of the project, Mukhriz said to date, foundation and infrastructure works costing RM120 million is being implemented under the first phase.

The phase two development of the project worth RM270 million is expected to commence in 2022.

-- BERNAMA