THE Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP) in south Seberang Perai, which is poised to be the next ‘Silicon Valley of the East’ after Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), continues to attract an influx of investments and job creations from local corporations.
Two public-listed large local companies (LLCs), namely JHM Consolidation Berhad (JHM) and QES Group Berhad (QES), have clocked in their investment projects with a combined investment value of RM190 million. They are set to generate over 1,100 job opportunities in five years.
Constructions of both expansion projects are scheduled to be completed by 2023.
Last month, three LLCs, namely Greatech Technology Berhad (Greatech), Pentamaster Corporation Berhad (Pentamaster) and UWC Berhad (UWC), had announced a total of RM520 million expansion plans in BKIP.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present during the investment announcement ceremony of JHM and QES at the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) headquarters in Bayan Baru, applauded the two local companies for their decisions to house their manufacturing sites in Penang.
“The entrance of JHM and QES is an acknowledgement of the robust industry clusters in the state.
“JHM and QES are among the key players in the country’s electrical and electronics (E&E) supply chain. JHM is an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, which specialises in one-stop engineering solutions while QES specialises in the manufacturing of equipment and provision of engineering services.
“We are proud to be the location of choice for the expansion plans of both companies.
“With the strong presence of multinational corporations (MNCs), LLCs and auxiliary industries closed to one another, these companies are able to enjoy far-reaching benefits in terms of operational advantage and increasing penetration into the global supply chain.
“We are also grateful to have existing industry players, who stand by us throughout the journey as well as newcomers who place their trust in us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of industrialisation journey next year.
“We pledge to be the leader by continuously making Penang’s position as a destination of choice for investments,” he said in his speech during the event.
Chow pointed out that Penang is the most important manufacturing base for E&E products in the country.
“We are among the most vibrant hubs globally, with an estimated of 5% of global semiconductor exports.
“Our exports had surpassed the RM300 billion mark in 2020 to reach a record high of RM310 billion, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. It was mainly contributed by E&E and professional, scientific and controlling instruments, including medical devices,” he added.
Chow also thanked the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), InvestPenang and PDC for their hard work and efforts to facilitate these investments.
“Congratulations to JHM and QES on your latest achievements. We look forward to seeing the two new facilities in BKIP in the future,” he said.
JHM Consolidation Berhad group chief executive officer Datuk Tan King Seng was delighted to be part of Penang’s robust industrial ecosystem.
“We are setting up a two-storey facility, with 350,000sq ft build-up area in BKIP, with an investment of RM170 million.
“JHM will broaden the business portfolio to include assembly and test services for telecommunication equipment and devices, through this expansion,” he said.
QES Group managing director Chew Ne Weng said the expansion in BKIP would be the company’s second factory in the country. The first one is located in Shah Alam, Selangor.
“The estimated investment for this project will be about RM20 million, which includes the land, construction, facilities and manpower.
“This plant will cater to our expansion in ATE (automated test equipment) manufacturing as well as a new venture in IR4.0 Smart Manufacturing Solutions.
“It is expected to provide 100 new job opportunities in three years’ time, which include engineers, technicians, administrative and executive personnel, ” he said.
Also present during the event were state Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurial Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Chow’s Special Investment adviser Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon, PDC chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Bazid Abdul Kahar, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and Mida Penang director Ghaddaffi Sardar.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar