As a pioneering state agency, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) today unveiled three key measures to stay relevant, enhance competitiveness and boost the state’s overall economic performance.

The three measures include the launching of the PDC 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan, Sustainability Initiative and GoDIGITAL PDC.

PDC chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar said there are four key thrusts under the strategic plan, namely Land Innovation, Asset Innovation, Business Sustainability and Smart Professional, collectively referred to as LABS.

He added that there are 15 important strategies, representing these thrusts, that will effectively drive several key projects that have been planned, such as the land acquisition proposal, Linear Waterfront, Medi-City, The Coast, GBS@Technoplex, logistic and distribution hubs, among others.

“We are trying to streamline a complete ecosystem. In the pipeline, we plan to build a distribution hub to support the logistics industry near the Penang International Airport, following the Federal Government’s approval for expansion works.

“PDC has vowed to construct four workers’ hostels on the mainland, and once completed, they can potentially accommodate up to 30,000 workers.

“One of the four projects is currently undergoing construction at the Penang Science Park (north), slated for completion in August this year.

“Two more projects are pending construction approval by the authority, and they will be at the Penang Science Park (south) and Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3.

“Meanwhile, the last one has been awarded to a developer to design and build in Bandar Cassia.

“The main objective of these hostels is to support the booming economy in the state, address social issues, and attract more investors,” Aziz said in his speech during the launching ceremony of the initiatives at the PDC in Bayan Baru today.

It was learned that PDC has a proposal to acquire 3,000 acres of land either in the north Seberang Perai district, south Seberang Perai district or the central Seberang Perai district for industrial development purposes.

Relatively, Aziz stated that PDC is expected to spend around RM5 billion in the next seven to eight years on all the projects planned under its purview.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the ceremony, has called for the management at PDC to work closely with one another to spearhead growth in the short and medium term.

“The private sector is equally competitive in developing industrial parks in Penang, and we have to receive and embrace the fact that they are also keen on attracting investors while creating job opportunities and boosting the state’s social economy.

“Participation by the state and Federal agencies is vital to assist PDC in its goals and objectives to materialise these projects,” Chow said in his speech.

As for sustainable initiatives, Aziz said PDC was proud to be the first state agency in Penang to implement the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) report and framework.

The four main thrusts are: Straightening the Basis of our Governance, Enhancing our Economic Sustainability, Protecting our Natural Ecosystem and Promoting Social Equity and Quality of Life (SEPP).

Earlier, Chow was invited to sign a smart board as PDC announced its GoDIGITAL initiative, featuring the use of digital signatures introduced in January this year.

It was learned that PDC became the first state agency in Penang to introduce this effort, which is aimed at a seamless and convenient workflow for all stakeholders.

Among others present during the event were Penang State Secretary Datuk Rosli Isa, state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu.

Source: Buletin Mutiara