NCIA committed to creating more high-income job opportunities in Perlis

KANGAR - The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is committed to creating more high-income job opportunities in Perlis in addition to improving the skills of local talent through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the state.

Its chief executive, Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said the NCIA has played an important role in creating 651 job opportunities and attracting investment worth RM132.4 million which also improves the living standards of local residents and supports the industrial ecosystem in Perlis.

"The key to economic prosperity lies in creating high-income job opportunities. Our cooperation with companies and local institutions have played key roles in providing opportunities as well as strengthening Perlis’ socioeconomics," he said in a statement today.

Mohamad Haris said the NCIA has also played an important role in the development of talent and skills with a focus on TVET, with a total of 751 participants being given skills training and aligning their skills with local economic needs.

He said out of that number, a total of 609 participants were semi-skilled while 142 participants were highly skilled and contributed to Perlis' efforts towards becoming a high-income state.

Meanwhile, he said the NCIA always supported the 'Perlis Digital Plan 2021-2025' including the NCER Entrepreneur Fund Programme (DU@NCER) which was established to provide financial assistance to Bumiputera companies in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

"Through this programme, we successfully set up the Smart Application Development Project, as a result of the collaboration between Infinity Wave Sdn Bhd and the Perlis State Economic Development Corporation (PKENPs). The emphasis of the project is on automation, digitalisation and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) compliance to help bridge the economic gap.

"It creates digitally literate individuals and vendors who are able to provide services related to mobile application development, design and cyber security. Through the amenities provided by NCIA, the total investment in this project now amounts to RM4.5 million," he said.

At the same time, Mohamad Haris said the Perlis Inland Port (PIP) project is expected to have a big impact on the state with a potential to create 3,920 job opportunities including 520 direct jobs and 3,400 indirect jobs.

He said the PIP is expected to be fully operational by 2025 and expected to also contribute RM2.3 billion to Perlis' gross domestic product (GDP) and attract RM1.2 billion in total private investments by 2030.

"The PIP project is an important part of our vision to turn Perlis into a trading and manufacturing hub. We believe Perlis' strategic location can be utilised to drive economic growth and prosperity in the region," added Mohamad Haris.

In the same statement, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the NCIA's dedication to the economic development and welfare of Perlis was commendable and that the various approaches in promoting economic growth to end poverty had a great impact on the state.

"I am grateful for the NCIA's unwavering commitment to the people of Perlis," he added. - BERNAMA