Negeri Sembilan govt optimistic of achieving RM10 bln investment target in 2021

PORT DICKSON, MARCH 8 -- The Negeri Sembilan government is optimistic of hitting its investment target of RM10 billion this year although the country still faces challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Investment, Industrial, Entrepreneurship, Education and Human Capital Action Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek said among the state government's plans were to open new industrial areas and offer special incentives to potential investors.

"It is expected to be challenging for the state government to attract investors this year; hence there’s a lot of work to be done to achieve the target," he told a press conference on Negeri Sembilan’s 2020 investment performance here today.

Also present were NS Invest chief executive officer Najmudin Sarimon, NS Corp chief executive officer Ab Rahim Rahman, and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Negeri Sembilan director Zetty Hamimi Zakaria.

Mohamad Rafie said the state recorded a total investment of RM7.93 billion last year, of which foreign direct investment made up RM3.83 billion.

He said investments in the manufacturing and services sectors approved by MIDA Negeri Sembilan amounted to RM6.3 billion in 2020, the best recorded by the state so far.

"Of the total approved investments, the manufacturing sector contributed a record RM6.18 billion worth of investments.

"This puts Negeri Sembilan at the sixth highest position among the states in Malaysia," he said.

-- BERNAMA