KEDA Allocates RM6.5 Mil To Upgrade IKS Premises

KUALA NERANG, March 5 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) has allocated RM6.5 million to upgrade small and medium-sized industrial (IKS) premises under its supervision, an initiative expected to benefit around 320 rural entrepreneurs across Kedah.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the allocation would be used to repair and upgrade basic facilities and improve the surrounding environment of the premises to create more comfortable and organised business spaces that meet current needs.

He said the initiative would be implemented in phases as part of KEDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and empower the rural economy.

“When basic facilities and infrastructure are improved, it can help boost the productivity and efficiency of entrepreneurs’ daily operations, and potentially increase sales revenue by up to 30 per cent,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating Program Santapan Rohani Ramadan Desa KEDA Zon 2 and the handover ceremony of Kedai@KEDA Kubang Kenyeng at Desa KEDA Kubang Kenyeng here last night.

Mahdzir said KEDA currently has 180 industrial building lots under the Taman IKS programme located in several areas, including Napoh, Sungai Bongkok, Jeniang and Wang Tok Rendong in Langkawi.

He said KEDA also provides 323 business premises lots across the state, including a supermarket building in Kulim currently rented by Mydin.

At the ceremony, four units of Kedai@KEDA Kubang Kenyeng, completed in August last year at a total cost of RM489,497 were handed over to selected entrepreneurs who had undergone an interview process.

According to Mahdzir, the facility was built to provide a conducive business space for local entrepreneurs and to encourage greater community participation in entrepreneurial activities.

“These shop lots will be managed by the Desa KEDA Kubang Kenyeng Planning and Implementation Team to ensure smooth operations and maximise benefits for local residents,” he said.

Meanwhile, shop lot beneficiary Mat Akhir Mat Rejab, 51, said the opportunity to operate in a larger and more comfortable space would allow him and his wife to expand their traditional food business, offerting prodcuts such as maruku, kerepek pisang and kuih batang buruk.

He said that previously, they had been running the business from a small home workshop with limited space.

“This new shop is more comfortable and organised. We’ll work harder to grow our business, and if possible, we hope to hire some villagers to work with us,” he said.

--BERNAMA