Advertisement

Image credit: Foursquare

The Melaka State Development Corporation (PKNM) is aggressively implementing economic and social development in the state, especially in the areas of industry, housing, tourism, business and trade.

The agency has embarked on a five year plan to increase its assets to the value of RM200 billion.

PKNM chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Hussain said this would be done via providing conducive and contemporary infrastructure to produce sustainable and competitive entrepreneurs, through an attractive and strategic business entrepreneurship programme. At the same time, PKNM will venture into and explore new businesses such as marine ports, hospitality and commercial and residential developments.

To realise its aspiration, PKNM will empower its subsidiaries through a variety of business activities such as franchise, logistics, minerals and IR 4.0, thus overseeing a comprehensive activation of Invest Melaka Berhad as the leading investment arm in Melaka.

Azmi said the development budget for 2021 to 2025 is estimated to reach RM1 billion to strengthen the role of the body as a leader in economic development in the state.

He said previous achievements included the development of 12 industrial areas spanning across an area of 2,100 hectares. Up to June this year, a total of RM9.5 billion has been approved to enable more than 10,000 business opportunities for locals to be realised, besides developing 1,288 lots for small and medium enterprises. PKNM was also responsible for the development of the Melaka Halal Hub in Serkam, which is also a leading halal production area in the country. The hub is spread over 134 hectares, encompassing 70 stalls and 146 buildings with a variety of brands such as Kew Pie, Perniagaan Orang Kampung, Koko Minda and many others.

At the same time, PKNM took the initiative to continue with planned projects through the allocation of grants from the federal government such as the economic stimulus package (Prihatin) with a value of RM2.0 million involving 16 projects to help small and medium entrepreneurs.

This includes two projects under the 11th Malaysia Plan, which is to upgrade the Ayer Panas Gadek Complex in Alor Gajah with a value of RM17.9 million and also a project to repair buildings damaged due to the effects of soil sedimentation at zone D of the Melaka Sentral Terminal with an allocation value of RM3 million. Azmi said PKNM has also submitted new project applications under the 12th Malaysia Plan which involves six projects with a total value of almost RM120 million, as well as three special projects involving project costs amounting to 6 million.

Another PKNM initiative is the continuation of the industrial expansion of 80 hectares in Jasin which will be focused on the development of halal products, electrical, electronics, renewable energy, high technology and smart technology in line with its agenda to strengthen economic and socio-economic development.

"We are committed to empowering entrepreneurial development, including developing new areas for SMEs and commercial centres such as The Siring Water Front and M-WEZ. At the same time we are also empowering subsidiaries of various businesses including PKNM Energy in the oil and gas sector, PMH in the Chemek franchise and Melaka International Trade Center (MITC) in the hospitality sector," added Azmi.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/630831/pknm-drives-development-melaka