Development Of Manufacturing Sector Cluster In Central Region Should Be Made Strategic Initiative - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The development of a special industrial cluster in the manufacturing sector in the Central Region needs to be prioritised as a strategic initiative of the MADANI Government to strengthen the country's position as an investment hub, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Central Region includes the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this matter has been agreed upon in principle and that the importance of close cooperation between the federal government and the state governments in jointly promoting the Central Region should be emphasised.

"This is important in the effort to attract more high-quality investments to the focus areas in each state, speeding up the implementation of projects while improving the 'ease of doing business' by reducing bureaucracy," said the Prime Minister through a post on X today.

Anwar chaired the National Investment Council (NIC) meeting No. 7 for 2024 today.

He said the NIC today had agreed that the Malaysia Productivity Corporation should continue the implementation of the regulation testing initiative to increase the productivity and efficiency of the delivery of regulations at all levels of government including local authorities.

"This initiative needs to be continued and also expanded based on the excellence shown especially in saving time and cost,” he added.

Anwar said this effort will also increase investments which in turn will increase revenue for local authorities, especially in matters of construction permits and land management through the Industrial Green Lane approach as has been implemented in Kulai, Johor and Kulim, Kedah.

-- BERNAMA