Northern Corridor Economic Region

Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) (Malay: Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara or Korridor Utara) is a new economic development corridor in Malaysia. This programme is a Government initiative to accelerate economic growth and elevate income levels in the north of Peninsular Malaysia - encompassing the states of Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and the north of Perak [http://www.ncer.com.my/en/vision/index.html Northern Corridor Economic Region - Vision] World-class economic region by 2025] . NCER is also one of the three development regions formed in Peninsular Malaysia, other development regions being the Iskandar Malaysia ("formerly known as Iskandar Development Region and South Johor Economic Region") and the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) which is for the east coast states - Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. The NCER initiative will span from 2007 to the end of the 12th Malaysia Plan period, i.e. 2025. The NCER was launched on 30 July 2007 in Alor Star, Kedah and on 31 July 2007 in Butterworth, Penang. Both event was launched by its own Chairman [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/1/nation/18465060&sec=nation The Star Online: August 1, 2007] PM to chair NCER body] which is the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Main vision

The vision of the NCER is to be a world-class economic region by 2025, where it is amongst the world’s best in a number of its key economic sectors, such as E&E (Electrical and Electronics cluster), agriculture, tourism and biotechnology. Through the provision of a conducive business environment, the NCER will be a destination of choice for foreign and domestic businesses to invest in, while its emphasis on social development, community infrastructure and environmental integrity will make it a place where both Malaysians and foreigners would choose to work, learn, visit and live [http://www.ncer.com.my/en/vision/index.html Northern Corridor Economic Region - Vision] World-class economic region by 2025] .

The mission of the NCER development programme is therefore to help the Region achieve this vision, through identifying commercially-viable opportunities and implementing strategic initiatives approved by the Government of Malaysia to improving:

* Agriculture - Transformation from existing practices to “new agriculture” and this will be a key factor in addressing low yields and improving productivity of land.
* Manufacturing - To distribute and to achieve balanced growth in all NCER's states rather than concentrated in Penang area only. Furthermore to provide more employment opportunity and to increase more highly skilled workers in the next future demand.
* Tourism & Logistics - The aim is to significantly diversify the tertiary sector and accelerate the move into more “modern” services industries.
* Infrastructure - New infrastructure to promote the growth of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism in the Northern Corridor, the Government will provide an environment conducive to economic development, by combining both physical infrastructure, such as irrigation, utilities and transportation, as well as soft infrastructure such as human capital, funding, incentives and an improved public service delivery system.
* Human Capital - To provide an excellent adequate teaching infrastructure and resources (including science and computer laboratories, libraries and sports facilities) to all schools so that it meet all the requirements.
*Environment - Protected and conserved natural environment in the course of carrying out development activities so that development can be sustainable. Failure to maintain and sustain the environment will impact the development of subsequent generations.

Project Status

Ninth Malaysia Plan

An additional RM 5 billion has been allocated to the project from the currently allocated RM 12.5 billion from the Ninth Malaysia Plan. [http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_eb7e5405-cb73c03a-8b677f00-d5e352cd 18-12-2007: NCER to get RM5b more] ]

Tenth Malaysia Plan

RM 13 billion is allocated by the government by the tenth Malaysia plan. Private investment is expected to account RM 30 billion.

External links

Official website

* [http://www.ncer.com.my/ Northern Corridor Economic Region] en icon and ms icon
* [http://www.idr.com.my/ Iskandar Malaysia] en icon

See also

* Ninth Malaysia Plan
* Sabah Development Corridor
* East Coast Economic Region
* Iskandar Malaysia
* Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy
* [http://www.perlis.gov.my/ Perlis State official website] en icon and ms icon
* [http://www.kedah.gov.my/ Kedah State official website] ms icon
* [http://www.penang.gov.my/ Penang State official website] ms icon
* [http://www.perak.gov.my/ Perak State official website] en icon and ms icon

Notes and references