PENANG hopes to enhance its international and intelligent city status by leveraging on the highly innovative manufacturing and services sectors.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is committed to transform Penang into an international smart city – the destination of choice for investors, tourists and Malaysians who desire sustainable living.
“I am sure that it is not impossible for Penang to be a family-focused green and smart state that inspires the nation as envisioned in Penang2030.
“Public and private sectors have to complement each other; by means of support and policies from the former, and input in terms of knowledge and backing from the latter.
“I would like to encourage companies, especially small-medium enterprises (SMEs), to respond positively to change.
“Embrace new innovation and the advancement of technology,” Chow said in his speech during the launching of MONITOR G5 at Straits Quay Convention Centre today.
MONITOR G5 is the new generation of the Monitor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The software provides customers with greater control of their manufacturing processes.
Chow said the state’s robust SMEs made it possible for multinational corporations (MNCs) to succeed and to grow their presence in Penang.
“We are proud to have more than 3,000 manufacturing SMEs in the state,” he said.
Chow also opened Monitor ERP Systems’ new Asean headquarters at Wisma AIA in Straits Quay.
The Chief Minister was impressed with the company for setting up a conducive workplace for its employees.
“To me, it is important for people to practise work-life balance.
“The first theme under the Penang2030 vision is to increase liveability to enhance quality of life.
“Monitor, coming from Sweden, a country which is noted for being one of the top countries in the world when it comes to work-balance, has really showed us that you take this seriously,” Chow said.
Also present were the Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia Dag Juhlin Dannfelt, Monitor ERP Group owner Jorgen Persson, Monitor ERP Group chief executive officer Morgan Persson and Monitor ERP Southeast Asia managing director Daniel Haggmark.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Alvie Cheng