FDI Interest Grows In Northern TechValley @ BKE Amid ESG Push

BUTTERWORTH, April 20 (Bernama) -- The integrated industrial park Northern TechValley @ BKE has attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) from companies based in Singapore, the United States, and China, alongside domestic investments to date.

The industrial park with a gross development value of RM1.3 billion is being developed by Suling Hill Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between AME Elite Consortium Bhd and Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd.

In a statement today, Suling Hill Development stated that the industrial park, which is located alongside the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), has thus far attracted customers from various industries.

They include warehousing, distribution hub, showroom, printing, service centre, autoparts, construction machinery, computer numerical control machine, and logistics sectors.

Suling Hill Development director Dylan Tan Teck Eng said it intends to catalyse the trajectory of growth-focused companies by providing infrastructure-ready and environmentally, socially governed (ESG)-forward facilities in Northern TechValley @ BKE.

“We are beginning to see companies appreciate that ESG is as much an internal discipline as it is an external practice. As global supply chains evolve, businesses are increasingly required to meet higher ESG and environmental standards.

“Our 30-year experience has shown that both FDI and domestic direct investment play a significant role, especially when global supply chains are disrupted, and diversification is the preferred strategy for long-term continuity,” he said.

Tan said the Northern TechValley @ BKE has obtained GreenRE certification for both development and buildings, and integrates sustainability features such as eco-conscious materials. 

The first phase of Northern TechValley @ BKE comprises 1½-storey detached standard factories across 8.094 hectares, with the show unit launched today. 

Subsequent phases, covering approximately 60.703 hectares and running concurrently, include larger built-to-suit facilities tailored to customer requirements, workers’ accommodation, and general access infrastructure.

At the same time, Suling Hill Development is constructing a 413-metre RM30 million flyover to enhance direct access to the BKE, aimed at reducing travel time and improving logistics flow for businesses operating within and around the industrial park.

-- BERNAMA