Northern corridor body to facilitate RM2b investments
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2010/12/1
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pojek-2/Article/index_html

The investments in manufacturing, agriculture, education, and human capital sectors are expected to boost the economies of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

More than RM2 billion of investments within the four northern states are poised to be facilitated by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) next year.

The investments in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, education, and human capital sectors are expected to further boost the economies of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

NCIA chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq said that one of the investments will include a RM50 million manufacturing facility for consumer electronics appliances.

"The location for the factory has not been finalised as yet although the factory, which will be owned by a Malaysian investor with operations in Thailand, is expected to be built before the end of 2011," he said in Penang yesterday.

Redza said the proposed investment was meant to raise the output for the company's existing exports markets of India and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, a RM5 million royal jelly factory is likely to be set up in Kamunting, Perak, in the second quarter of next year.

The NCIA was established under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Act 2008 as the authority responsible for providing direction and devising policies and strategies for socio-economic development in the 21 districts in Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Penang.

Redza said for this year, the authority had facilitated projects with total investments close to RM6 billion.

Also included is NCIA's investment of RM60.1 million in human capital development projects in the four states to support projects ranging from those related to tourism, manufacturing and education.

Koridor Utara tarik pelaburan RM7.48b
Oleh SARAH NADLIN ROHIM 3 Mei 2011
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0503&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_01.htm

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Mei - Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara (NCER) telah membawa masuk pelaburan berjumlah RM7.48 bilion sejak 2008 sehingga 2010, kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Pihak Berkuasa Pelaksanaan Koridor Utara (NCIA), Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak (gambar).

Daripada jumlah itu, hanya 8.99 peratus merupakan pelaburan kerajaan dan selebihnya adalah sektor swasta, kata beliau.

''Bagi tahun ini, NCER mengumumkan penglibatan pelaburan sektor swasta sebanyak RM6.08 bilion.

''Daripada jumlah ini, ia akan menjana pendapatan kasar negara (GNI) sebanyak RM11.4 bilion dengan peluang pekerjaan mencecah sehingga 20,000 dalam empat kategori iaitu pertanian, pembuatan, pelancongan dan logistik,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini.

Tambah Redza, NCIA pada Januari lalu, telah memeterai perjanjian dengan empat syarikat dalam zon NCER membabitkan RM155.5 juta.

''Empat syarikat tersebut adalah syarikat tempatan yang mewakili setiap negeri di bawah NCER.

''Melalui perjanjian tersebut ia menyediakan peluang pekerjaan sehingga melebihi 1,000 dalam pelbagai peringkat sama ada yang mempunyai skil tinggi atau tidak,'' jelasnya.

Redza berkata, baru-baru ini, terdapat pelaburan luar yang masuk ke NCER bernilai RM335 juta dengan peluang pekerjaan sebanyak 300 bagi fasa pertama.

Ia melibatkan kemasukan syarikat dari Singapura dalam bidang ruang angkasa iaitu Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing Pte. Ltd. (SAM).

Redza berkata, melalui pembinaan kilang pembuatan tersebut kerja-kerja penyumberan luar bernilai RM40 juta dapat diterima dari rantaian bekalan tersebut.

Selain itu, NCIA akan meneruskan usaha untuk meningkatkan pelaburan masuk ke NCER tidak kira dari tempatan mahupun luar negara.

''Antara usaha yang dijalankan pihak kami adalah menyertai beberapa misi perdagangan di luar negara.

''Sebagai contoh misi perdagangan ke Eropah yang baru sahaja NCIA sertai, beberapa mesyuarat susulan telah dilakukan. Salah satu dengan syarikat pembuatan Jerman serta logistik dari Perancis.

''NCIA juga berminat untuk meneroka sektor pembangunan sumber manusia yang ditawarkan di Perancis tetapi masih belum memuktamadkan sebarang bentuk perjanjian yang kukuh,'' jelasnya.

Sementara itu, ketika ditanya sama ada kewujudan koridor masih relevan pada masa ini, Redza berkata, ia perlu memandangkan setiap koridor mempunyai fokus atau tumpuan mereka masing-masing.

''Tujuan penubuhan koridor-koridor ini adalah untuk mengoptimumkan pulangan ekonomi kepada negeri-negeri dan juga negara selain membuka peluang pekerjaan dan meningkatkan kemahiran.

''Setiap kawasan bagi koridor adalah unik. Bagi NCER sendiri fokus kami adalah pertanian, pembuatan, pelancongan dan logistik,'' katanya.

Bergerak ke hadapan, NCIA akan meningkatkan strategi mereka dalam terus menarik pelaburan ke NCER.

SMEs in NCER to benefit from contract manufacturing
From Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2011/05/31
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup280d/Article/#ixzz1NvmXWyKJ

SAN JOSE (California): Contract manufacturing is big business, providing immense spin-offs for the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in both commercial agriculture as well as hi-tech industries in Malaysia's northern growth corridor.

In the next two years, local SMEs in the north will benefit from RM40 million worth of jobs that will be farmed out under aerospace outsourcing.

Datuk Redza Rafiq, chief executive of the Northern Corridor Implementation Agency - which was tasked with looking after the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) - said some of these contract manufacturing arrangements are not captured by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

For instance, multinational semiconductor AMB which has been around in Penang for three decades, has pumped in fresh investments for an integrated circuit testing facility - a move which will lead to an increase in local content of the export products unlike in the past when they had to be sent to Singapore, China or the US for testing.

Its RM783 million test facility provides opportunities for local companies.

The NCER, comprising Perlis, Kedah, Seberang Perai and northern Perak, provides focus for commercial agriculture as well as high technology industries.

A team of NCIA officials were in San Jose to visit various companies to tap more opportunities for the northern region.

Apart from discussions in France for businesses in the logistics area, NCIA is also in the advanced stage of discussions for manufacturing products in aerospace-related industry.

The NCIA is also facilitating businesses on the lookout for special talent through collaborative programmes with Universiti Sains Malaysia (www.usm.my/).

Redza, referring to the RM500 million investment by the Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing Pte Ltd's subsidiary company Aviatron Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said 100 high-skilled jobs would be created through spin-offs from aerospace outsourcing.

With SAM and Honeywell Aerospace, the region is becoming more attractive in terms of talent too, he said.

"Just like Plug and Play in San Jose is able to attract talent, we are confident that once we have the ecosystem, others will also come in," he said.

Contract farming is also another area of growth which has been overlooked by most, said Redza.

The NCIA is assisting mango farmers in Perlis by buying off them the "off grade" fruits which can be used for making juices.

The move, he said, has increased the monthly production from RM150,000 a month to RM1 million a month, and has given a boost to the income of some 400 farmers and another 180 entrepreneurs.

Redza said royal jelly is also coming in a big way in the NCER, since it was launched in Penang and Perak. Malaysia is industrialising the product in a plant in Kamunting, taking its cue from the successes of similar businesses in China and Thailand.

The government is extending assistance to the interested entrepreneurs of the small-to large-scale farming through its attractive funding mode - RM26,000 as training set-up and RM30,000 bank loan.

Monthly earnings can average between RM800 and RM3,000 a month, depending on how active the participants are in the programme which requires only a small area to rear the bees which are imported from south Thailand.

The project is expected to be launched in Kedah and Perlis by the end of June, he said.

NCER gets RM3.23b investments Jan-Apr 2011
Published: 2011/05/31
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110531170416/Article/index_html#ixzz1NvnRUvAB

KUALA LUMPUR: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) recorded RM3.23 billion worth of investments via private sector
participation between January and April.

"The initiatives have created a total of 18,930 jobs for locals living in the area and the Gross National Income is expected to reach RM13.03 billion by 2020," said Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Chief Executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak today.

To date, the region has attracted RM10.71 billion worth of investments since its launch in 2009.

"We are strategically working with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority to attract more investments and we are focusing on four key thrust areas to lead and develop the region further," he said at the launch of the NCER Business Opportunity Showcase by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Redza said NCIA was committed to ensure that social and sustainable objectives were kept as priorities driving economic growth with the focus on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics. - Bernama

NCER on track to achieve target by 2020
Wednesday June 1, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/1/business/8797447&sec=business

KUALA LUMPUR: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) is on track to achieve its objective by 2020.

A total of RM3.23bil in private sector participation was received from January to April this year compared with RM6.08bil for the whole of last year.

Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said private sector participation since 2008 had been on an upward trend with a total of about RM10.7bil received to date.

“We use the term private sector participation because our aim is not only to bring investors in but more importantly our focus on socio-economic spill over and the elevation of income level of the masses in the region.

“We are proud to say that out of the 18,930 jobs created in NCER, all are sourced locally,” he told reporters before launching the showcase of business opportunities in NCER by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Economic Planning Unit, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop at KL Sentral yesterday. Also present was deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

The development direction of NCER is chartered by the NCIA where the projected gross national income from the initiatives delivered by the authority is expected to reach RM13.03bil in 2020.

“Most of the private sector participation for last year is already on the ground and operating. We do have clear set of key performance indicators and from the trend you can see where are we heading,” he said adding that key thrusts in NCER were agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics sectors.

On the showcase, Redza said the NCER business showcase presented companies from these four key sectors which collectively represented multi-billion ringgit business opportunities for the private sector within this economic corridor.

NCER is a regional development initiative across the states of Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Penang that covers 2.4 million ha of areas.

Commenting on the electricity and gas tariff hike, Nor Mohamed said the cost of utilities here was still competitive. “The elements of subsidy is still there, but when crude oil price keeps going up, the Government has its limitations.

More investments expected in NCER
Published: 2011/07/26
http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/20110726141853/Article/

The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) expects investments this year in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to exceed last year's RM6.08 billion, judging from the investments of RM3.3 billion received, thus far, in the first four months of the year.

Expressing optimism, NCIA Chief Executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak said he preferred to be realistic and not set any target forecast.

"NCIA will continue to promote development within the NCER which aspires to become a world-class economic region, an ideal destination for investors plus improve the lives and welfare of the communities in the region," he told reporters after handing over a computer laboratory to Sekolah Rendah Islam Al Masriyah here today.

The NCER initiative, launched in 2007, is essentially an economic and social development blueprint for Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Pulau Pinang.

The initiative's main thrusts are to transform and expand the key economic sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistic services in the region.

Redza also said although manufacturing was the main contributor to investments within the region, the agricultural sector's contribution cannot be denied.

"We are giving emphasis to the agricultural sector as it has great potential to improve the income of farmers. Recently we successfully introduced a planting method which can help solve the incidence of wild paddy species.

"This has improved the harvest of 30,000 paddy farmers throughout the region, and indirectly, a boon to investments," he added. - BERNAMA

NCER woos RM6.9b investments in Jan-July
Published: 2011/09/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rnec/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/rnec/pix_topright

PENANG: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) has wooed RM6.89 billion worth of investments between January and July, surpassing RM6.08 billion, its full year investments last year.

Nothern Corridor Implementation Authority chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said this year's investments showed significant participation from foreigners, especially from Europe and the United States, compared with last year's.

"Of the RM6.89 billion investments, 86 per cent were from foreigners, while 14 per cent were from locals," he said after a media tour to the NCER yesterday.

Redza said he saw a positive investment uptrend for the remaining months this year from the recent deals sealed with three foreign companies and a domestic company, as well as the positive economic outlook.

Last year, NCER's investments soared to RM6.08 billion compared with RM1.4 billion in 2009 and 2008, with 56 per cent foreign participation and 44 per cent local investors.

Redza also announced that two Japanese automotive companies would invest in Malaysia but declined to comment further on the companies' background, saying that further announcements would be made soon. - Bernama

Ncer impact on local community, jobs for the people
Posted on September 24, 2011, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/24/ncer-impact-on-local-community-jobs-for-the-people/

KUALA LUMPUR: The impact from the development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) on the local community can be clearly seen from the job opportunities provided to them.

Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive, Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, said the NCER had provided 25,808 employment opportunities to the locals until July this year.

The number, he said, exceeded the NCIA target to generate between 20,000 and 22,000 job opportunities for the next 10 years.

“The success is a positive sign and shows confidence in NCER,” he said in an interview during the “Kerusi Panas” programme produced by Bernama Radio24 on Thursday.

Redza also said the NCIA did not have any problems dealing with the state governments, including those under the opposition rule.

“All agencies in the affected four state government give their full cooperation to NCER,” he added. — Bernama

NCER to focus on electrical, electronics
By Marina EmmanuelPublished: 2012/02/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/isser/Article/#ixzz1llRZRQce

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/isser/pix_topright

THE second phase of the Northern Corridor Economic Region's rollout is expected to see more investments being ploughed into the electrical and electronics sector in Perak and Penang.

Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said plans were also in place to position the Kulim High Tech Park in Kedah to meet the evolving needs of its high technology tenants.

Apart from facilitating with United States-based test and measurements device maker National Instruments to set up a RM2 million laboratory within the Penang Skills Development Centre, NCIA has also collaborated with global distributor of electronic components, World Micro Inc, to expand its presence in Penang.

"World Micro, a specialists in counterfeit detection, plans to set up a second facility to mop up the excess supply of electronic equipment and then distribute those products," he added.

In Perak, a plan by the NCIA to collaborate with the Perak government to create the Greater Kamunting Industrial Zone is poised to see the potential entry of investors from South Korea, Japan and Europe.

"They may include firms in the fabrication, food processing, electronics and automotive sectors," said Redza.

On the status of the RM1.2 billion investment by Japanese tyre manufacturer Toyo Tire & Rubber Co Ltd, Redza said earthworks had commenced for the new plant in Kamunting.

"The new facility is due to open by April next year, and the company is set to create another 800 jobs in addition to its current pool of 1,400 workers in Taiping," he added.

"Although the second phase of the economic corridor is meant to cover the 2013-2020 time-frame, many inroads have been made already and some projects are taking off.

"Investments are rising rapidly for the northern economic region, which was at RM1.4 billion from 2008 to 2009 but leapt to RM6.08 billion in 2010 and then catapulted to RM9.91 billion last year with 26,267 jobs created along the way."

Meanwhile, Redza, whose contract as chief executive was to expire in December, has been given a contract extension untill December 2015.

Swiss firm to open new plant in Penang
By SIMREN KAUR Thursday February 9, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/9/business/10701434&sec=business

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2012/2/9/business/b_p7VATplant.jpg

An artist’s impression of the proposed VAT plant in Penang.

GEORGE TOWN: A Swiss semiconductor company has chosen Penang to open its first manufacturing plant in Asia.

VAT Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd will be built on a 3.035ha in Batu Kawan and is expected to commence production by December this year.

VAT executive vice-president Quality and Procurement Andreas Scheibe said it was a big step for VAT to open its first branch in Asia.

“A lot of our customers in the United States have moved to Asia, so we decided to move as well to be able to better serve our customers,” said Andreas.

“After surveying several Asian countries, we chose Penang because it is the only one that meets our requirements,” he said.

VAT is the world's leading supplier of vacuum valves for state-of-the-art applications in the semiconductor industry, for manufacturing flat screens and solar panels, as well as for coating optical systems and tools.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that he was delighted that VAT had chosen Penang over China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We are proud that our human resources, suppliers in mechanical and electronic components, infrastructure and logistics support as well cost of living comply with the requirements of VAT,” he said.

Lim was speaking at the sale and purchase signing ceremony between VAT and Penang Development Corp at his office at Komtar yesterday.

He added that the new facility, with investments totalling US$25mil (RM75mil) was expected to generate 100 new jobs.

26 Entry Point Projects identified for Northern Corridor Economic Region
Posted on March 26, 2012, Monday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/26/26-entry-point-projects-identified-for-northern-corridor-economic-region/#ixzz1qOk90xOv

TAIPING: The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) has identified 26 Entry Point Projects (EPPs) that would contribute RM17.46 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) and investments valued at RM27.27 billion by 2025 in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the projects were identified through ‘Corridors and Cities’ (C&C) Lab, a federal government initiative aimed at bringing the country’s five economic corridors to the next level.

“These ideas will enhance efforts to develop the region’s economy in a balanced and fair manner,” he said at the launch of C&C Lab’s open day here yesterday.

His speech was read by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Muhyiddin said the federal government is further enhancing the growth of the corridor, which encompasses Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak, with the C&C Lab programme which identifies sectors with potential.

“From the Northern Corridor’s establishment in 2007 until now, the people of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak have enjoyed the fruits of rapid economic development.

“With the involvement of internatinal companies like Robert Bosch and Intel in Penang, the Northern Corridor has created new job opportunities and businesses, raised the number of local entrepreneurs involved in the supply chain, and facilitated technology transfer to the country,” he said.

Last year, he said, the corridor attracted RM9.91 billion in investments, up from the RM6.08 billion recorded in 2010, while 26,267 jobs were created between January 2010 and December 2011, surpassing the target of 22,000.
Muhyiddin said the developments in each of the corridor’s states have been planned to take advantage of their particular strengths.

He cited Penang, an electronics and electrical (E&E) hub whose manufacturing sector attracted the highest investments among the states in 2010 and 2011, and Perak, which also posted an excellent performance with the corridor’’s highest number of spin-offs.

The corridor has also provided sustainable opportunities for local companies through the setting up of several Centres of Excellence that provide support, training as well as research and development services for such sectiors as LED lighting, solar panels, biotechnology and E&E components, he added. — Bernama

NCIA to lure investors from Kyoto, Nagoya
23 April 2012 | Last updated at 11:41AM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/ncia-to-lure-investors-from-kyoto-nagoya-1.76848

KYOTO: The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is participating in a two-day trade and investment mission to Japan beginning here today.

Its chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq is confident of attracting Japanese investors to invest in the Corridor which covers Perak, Kedah, Perlis and Penang.

Speaking to Bernama, Redza said that the authority had a good track record in managing to close deals with potential investors, while participating in past trade and investment missions.

" We have a 100 per cent success rate," said Redza, whose term as chief executive has been extended for another three years, until Dec 31, 2015.
His contract was due to expire on Dec 31 this year.

Redza was previously the managing director of Cyberview Sdn Bhd and had been involved in Cyberjaya's development since 1997.

Under his leadership, the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) attracted the largest investments, with RM15.3 billion approved manufacturing licences last year.

At Kyoto, the NCIA is seeking to lure potential investors where the main industries here are electronics, advanced electronic devices & components, machinery & equipment, engineering services and chemicals & pharmaceuticals.

The NCIA is the statutory body responsible for setting the direction, policies and programmes for the NCER, with four key thrust areas, namely, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics.

Led by the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, the next stop for the trade and investment mission is Nagoya, tomorrow. -- BERNAMA

NCER set for more reinvestments
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/mjpn23/Article/