langkawi magazine
Archives SECTION
Kedah Sees Further Investment Of RM500 Mln From Japan This Year
The Kedah state government is projecting a further RM500 million investment from Japanese investors in the state's various sectors this year.
Exco member and chairman of the State Industry, Science and Technology, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee, Datuk Chong Itt Chew, said that more than RM570 million worth of investments in Kedah were those made by Japanese companies throughout the period from 2000 to 2004.
The amount is expected to further rise this year, he said.
"The Kedah state government promises to upgrade the infrastructure while at the same time help investors from Japan resolve their problems and any difficulties faced by them in carrying out business in the state," he said during a progress briefing held here Monday in conjunction with the visit of Japan's Ambassador, Tadashi Imai, to the state.
Chong said that Japan was the second largest investor in Kedah, and therefore the excellent trade link established between the two parties should be maintained well.
"Recently two more companies from Japan had signed up memoranda of understanding with a company in Kedah to carry out business here and this further raises the possibility of reaching our target," he said.
Meanwhile, Imai in his speech expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the rapport enjoyed by the Japanese investors and the state government and hoped that it would continue.
Besides being an investment focus, Kedah's beauty also holds a very special attraction for the Japanese people, particularly the Langkawi Island which is very popular among the people in Japan, he said.
Imai said that he would continue to promote Kedah to Japanese investors and he would not be concentrating on the electronic sector alone but would also promote other areas in which Japanese investors would be interested in, including the tourist sector.
"When I met up with the Japanese investors here yesterday (Sunday) the feedback from them was very good. They expressed that they were happy carrying out their businesses in the state," he added.
Alor Star 2005-06-08
