Penang has come out top in attracting total capital investments for manufacturing projects in 2010, according to the Malaysian Industrial Development Agency (Mida).

A visibly proud Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference today that Mida has verified that the state attracted about RM12 billion in such investments last year.

NONE Penang raked up 26 percent out of the total investment of RM47.1 billion nationwide. This is also a five-fold increase from RM2.1 billion recorded by Penang in 2009.

“As the newly-crowned champion among all states in attracting investments, the state government wishes to congratulate the people of Penang,” he said.

“With the best financial performance, the best state in clean governance, the best green practices and now the top performer in investments, Penangites can now proudly say Penang leads!”

Credits people, state and federal agencies

NONE Lim said this was the first time in history that Penang has topped the list of investments among all states, with this being the highest investment ever received.

“I feel proud that in a short time, a government with little experience, with the support of the people can achieve this record, which was never achieved by the state in the last 53 years.

“This success is due to the hard work by the 1.6 million Penangites together with state government leaders and agencies as well as federal government agencies from Mida and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry,” he added.

 

Yesterday, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed announced a 45 percent increase investment from RM32.6 billion in 2009 to RM47.1 billion for last year. ( see Mida chart below )

Meanwhile, Lim said the huge leap in investment figures reflected the business community’s confidence in Penang’s expertise, capability and entrepreneurship.

It was also an affirmation of the state government’s strategy in promoting Penang as a prime location for investment as well as as its integrity.

He said that this was further backed by the 2009 Auditor-General’s report , which states that Penang was the best performer in managing its finances, and commendations received from watchdog Transparency International.

azlan