THE Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) unveiled specific development plans for Perak under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Development Blueprint 2016-2025 (Blueprint 2.0) yesterday.
The launch of the state roadshow was held at Casuarina@Meru. It is part of the NCIA roadshow in four regions under the NCER, aimed at increasing awareness of the blueprint and its action plans.
Blueprint 2.0, with its theme of ?Growth with Social Equity', aspires to spur the inclusive and sustainable economic development in Perak by establishing new industries, attracting investment in human resources development as well as creating a vibrant environment for work and entrepreneurial activities.
It is expected to positively impact the people of Perak by improving job opportunities, income, skills and lifestyle.
NCIA chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said the players in the economic regions needed to adapt to the changes in the current world. At the same time, the aspects of community welfare, social equality, as well as nature conservation need to be included in all development programmes.
“The rapid global changes require all regions to move promptly in a creative and firm manner, to cater to the current economic demand. This includes expanding the network with stakeholders, including the community, state governments, local authorities, industries and non-governmental organisations,” he said.
Redza said in line with the theme of ?Growth with Social Equity', the developments need to take into consideration the aspects of universal access to education and health, social inclusivity, as well as high-income economic activities.
“It does not stop there. As a body responsible in planning and executing policies, we need to get closer to the community. Their inputs are crucial in the process of drafting the action plans” he said.
He said it was also in line with the approach by the government throughout
the 11th Malaysia Plan which is to reaffirm and strengthen the economy
of the people.
Blueprint 2.0 is in alignment with National Plans i.e. RMK-11, Economic Transformation Programme, Government Transformation Programme and New Economic Model. It covers more than 80 strategic projects that will spearhead the economic development across four states in the north of Peninsular
Malaysia which are Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Penang by 2030.
It aims to outline the future directions and strategies to expand growth and reduce regional imbalances.
The blueprint introduces bold measures for the long-term benefit of all by sustaining its growth momentum and ensuring that the rakyat continues to prosper.
There are seven Growth Node projects, two of which are located in Perak, namely the Greater Kamunting Conurbation (GKC) and Manjung-Aman Jaya Maritime City.
There are also 28 transcending borders projects and another 45 localised high impact projects under Blueprint 2.0.
These initiatives will expand the economic benefits to targeted areas in Perak by driving the growth of Gross Domestic Product as well as increasing economic sustainability through physical and socioeconomic components.
The first growth node, GKC, aims to develop and advance a key economic centre in the north of Perak, while enhancing inclusiveness through equitable distribution of income and wealth.
Another growth node, the Manjung-Aman Jaya Maritime City, will open the economic potential in the districts through eight main clusters which are Manufacturing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Tourism, Infrastructure, Halal Hub as well as Human Resources and Maritime.
One of the strategic thrusts in Blueprint 2.0 is to develop NCER‘s economy and to focus on liveability to support the local community as well as to attract and retain the workforce in the region.
The liveability of a place is defined by the many characteristics that make
it a place where people want to live and grow.
The NCER economic dimension components of liveability have been identified as transportation, communication, education and income and distribution; while the social dimension components have been identified as housing, leisure, culture, health and environment.
As liveability is one of the key factors influencing the decisions people make about where to live and where to do business, NCIA aims to further develop NCER to a liveable region to attract and retain the best talent, draw investments and remain competitive with other major cities and regions.