Perak Records Nearly RM2 Bln Japanese Investments Since 2013

BATU GAJAH (Perak, Malaysia) Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Perak has attracted RM1.9 billion worth of Japanese investments since 2013, said State Investment, Industry and Regional Development Committee Chairman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin. Manufacturing was among the main sectors which saw investments from the Land of the Rising Sun, he said. “We (the state government) will do what it takes to ensure Perak is prepared to accommodate quality projects, especially from Japan's high-tech sector, which will then become an economic catalyst for the state,” he told reporters after officiating the ground-breaking ceremony for a RM500 million Murata Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd factory at the Bemban Industrial Park here Tuesday. In a separate development, Mohammad Nizar said the state government welcomed the State Economic Advisory Council's (SEAC) recent proposal for a Buy Perak First Policy, which would prioritise businesses, manufacturers and contractors from the state when awarding contracts. “We will discuss the matter in detail during the state exco meeting. The (idea) will be put forward as one of the conditions, whereby contractors from the state should be given priority for contracts from the state government or city council,” he added. Last Saturday, SEAC member Nga Kor Ming said the policy was agreed on unanimously at an Oct 2 council meeting chaired by its Chairman, Anuar Zaini. He also said one of the conditions for such contracts was that businessmen, manufacturers and contractors from Perak should not quote prices above five per cent of that proposed by contractors from other states. Nga added that the state economy could benefit by at least RM500 million from implementing the proposed policy. -- BERNAMA