WHIZZ SYSTEMS INVESTING US$4.6 MLN IN KULIM HI-TECH PARK

KULIM (Kedah, Malaysia), Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Santa Clara-based design and
manufacturing services provider, Whizz Systems Inc, will invest RM14 million
(US$4.6 million) to set up an operations centre at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP)
here.

The centre, which will offer designing services, applications and
assembling of printed circuit boards, will initially operate in a building at
the KHTP in April.

In the initial stage, the company will employ over 30 local engineers, who
have the expertise to provide support services to more than 50 manufacturing
companies operating at the KHTP.

Kulim Technology Park Corporation Sdn Bhd president Muhamad Sobri Osman said
in a statement that the investment entailed procurement of sophisticated
equipment from the United States needed by multinational companies operating at
the KHTP.

He said Whizz Systems would build a plant on a 2.36 acres at SMI Park, an
industrial zone under the second phase of the KHTP. Construction will start
soon
and expected to be completed in three to four years.

"While waiting for the factory to be completed, they will operate
temporarily in a building at the KHTP," he said in the statement.

The agreement signing for the 60-year land lease between KHTP and Whizz
Systems Malaysia Sdn Bhd was held Wednesday. Whizz Systems was represented by
its president Muhammad Irfan.

Muhamad Sobri said the investment reflected growing foreign investors'
confidence in KHTP and Malaysia.

"Besides increasing investment, Whizz Systems also provides the impetus to
enhance research and development initiatives by working with local
universities," he said.

Meanwhile, almost all industrial land under phases I, II and III at the KHTP
have been leased out to local and foreign companies and 166.4 hectares are being
developed under the fourth phase to be rented out to investors engaged in high
technology industries.

Muhammad said Whizz Systems decided to invest at the KHTP because the park
provided the best facilities and infrastructures.

The cost-effective factor aside, he said, the Malaysian Government through
the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the KHTP had proved
their excellence by wooing multinationals from throughout the world to invest at
the KHTP.

"We also intend to turn the KHTP into a leading research and development
centre via technology transfer initiatives with local universities.

"As testament of their continued commitment (in Malaysia), Whizz Systems has
offered to train the first batch of entrepreneurs and young researchers from
Universiti Utara Malaysia (in Sintok)," he added.
-- BERNAMA