The state has expanded the industrial land in Batu Kawan, Penang, to accommodate demand from investors as Bukit Minyak Industrial Estate and Penang Science Park in Seberang Prai have been fully taken up.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state had expanded the industrial land in Batu Kawan to 1,619ha.

“When completed, the Penang Science Park, which is located in Bukit Minyak, will be the coun- try’s largest technology park.

“The state has plans to turn Batu Kawan into a satellite town, just like Bayan Baru and Seberang Jaya,” he said at the opening of the Ixora Hotel in Bandar Prai Jaya in Butterworth on Wednesday.

Also present were Indonesian Consulate-General Chilman Arisman, Deputy Chief Minister II and Batu Kawan MP Dr P. Ramasamy, state exco member Lim Hock Seng, hotel managing director Datuk Ng Swee Chin and general manager Winston Toh.

Strategically located along Jalan Baru, the 326-room hotel is right next to Megamal Pinang and within walking distance to shops, restaurants and cafes. It is also close to an industrial estate.

Lim said the first phase of eco-tourism projects in Batu Kawan, which involved the Batu Musang jetty, had been completed while

the second phase involving the construction of a seafood centre, gallery and chalets was under con-struction.

Ng said he decided to name the hotel after a flower.

“Our aim is to provide extraordinary services to our customers,” he said.

Toh said 90% of the hotel staff were locals, adding that they aspired to make Ixora one of the best hotels in Penang.

Source: The Star