Perak launches Kerian Industrial City with RM700m GDV, targets 12,000 jobs
Perak has launched Kerian Industrial City (KIC), a 287-acre development in Dennistown with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM700 million. The project is expected to create 12,000 jobs as the state seeks to boost industrial capacity and attract investment.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): Perak has launched Kerian Industrial City (KIC), a 287-acre development in Dennistown with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM700 million. The project is expected to generate 12,000 jobs as the state seeks to attract investment and expand its industrial capacity, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Perak State Development Corporation Group (PKNP). Land acquisition has been completed and planning permission obtained.
“The development will create opportunities for investors, industrial operators and support service providers to expand their operations in Kerian, accelerating the local economy and contributing to Perak’s broader economic growth,” the PKNP statement read. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said in the same statement that the development would help Kerian expand into higher-value industries while building on its agricultural strengths. The site is about six kilometres from Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Engineering Campus, 9.3km from the Perda Higher Skills Institute and 15.6km from Kerian Vocational College.
“The state government wants to see industrial development in Kerian grow in a planned and structured manner, with KIC and Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park playing complementary roles in shaping a more integrated and competitive industrial ecosystem,” Saarani said. Separately, PKNP chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak was reported as saying at the groundbreaking ceremony in Parit Buntar that KIC would be developed in four phases over 10 years, with the first phase expected to be completed within three years.
Saarani added that the development of both industrial areas needs to be supported by adequate infrastructure and utility facilities, particularly a stable electricity supply to meet the needs of industrial growth. He said the matter includes the need to develop a new Main Intake Substation (PMU) to support industrial growth in the area. “I warmly welcome the discussions that have been held involving SD Guthrie Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and InvestPerak regarding the proposed development of the PMU, including the alignment of the access road involving the KIGIP area,” he was quoted as saying.
PKNP owns a 52.9% stake in Perak Corp Bhd. The statement added that the Public Works Department (JKR) is planning a new road alignment connecting the Bandar Baharu toll exit directly to KIGIP, which is also expected to improve access to KIC, Parit Buntar and surrounding industrial areas. The proposed connection could facilitate logistics and improve supply chain efficiency, though the final alignment and implementation schedule remain subject to further review and confirmation by JKR and the relevant authorities.
KIC forms part of Perak’s wider industrial development plans, alongside Automotive High Technology Valley, Lumut Maritime Industrial City, Silver Valley Technology Park and KIGIP, spanning automotive, maritime, technology, manufacturing and green industries.
