PENANG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PDC) CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2024 CELEBRATION
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
PENANG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PDC) CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2024 CELEBRATION
8TH JANUARY 2024
YB. Dato’ Haji Rosli Bin Isa
State Secretary
YB. Dato’ Zabidah Binti Safar
State Financial Officer
Ybrs. Encik Mohammad Azhar Bin Hamdan
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Of Penang Development Corporation (PDC)
PDC Top Management and Subsidiaries
Ybrs. Madam See Su Lynn
Chairperson Of PDC’s Christmas And New Year Celebration Committee 2024
PDC Staff
Ladies And Gentlemen
Salam Sejahtera, Salam Penang2030, Salam Malaysia Madani.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome each one of you to the PDC Christmas and New Year 2024 Celebration, where we come together to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas and embrace the possibilities of the approaching New Year.
Penang, a tapestry of diverse cultures and traditions, stands as a shining example of unity in diversity. Our ability to coexist in peace and harmony while embracing our differences, is the cornerstone of our strength as a community.
In the past year, our State Government, through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), has embarked on an ambitious journey to propel Penang into the future. The establishment of international-class industrial parks such as the Bandar Cassia Technology Park (BCTP), Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 (BKIP3), and Penang Science Park South (PSPS) spanning 852 acres reflects our commitment to meet the evolving needs of investors, both local and international.
Looking beyond our traditional strengths in electrical and electronics (E&E), our vision for Penang includes transforming it into a medical technology hub. This entails developing a robust supply chain, fostering research and development, and encouraging local companies to actively participate in the global value chain. These efforts are geared towards creating a dynamic ecosystem that will not only sustain but elevate our economic standing.
As we bid farewell to 2023, we celebrate the remarkable achievements that position Penang as a magnet for investments. The influx of RM44.9 billion in approved investments during the first nine months of the year is a testament to our resilience and attractiveness to investors. Holding a 42% share of the nation's manufacturing FDI at RM 35.8 billion and a 39% share in Malaysia's approved manufacturing investments at RM38.9 billion, Penang continues to be a pivotal contributor to the nation's economic growth.
Now, standing at the dawn of a new year, PDC unveils its strategic plan for 2024-2028, encapsulated in PDC LABS - Land Innovation, Asset Innovation, Business Sustainability, and Smart Professional. This comprehensive plan is designed to position Penang at the forefront of innovation, meeting the evolving needs of our stakeholders and serving as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and physical development, all aligned with our Penang2030 vision.
PDC, with its legacy of excellence, is well-poised to reach new heights with the implementation of this strategic plan. It is my sincere belief that the coming year will bring forth not only challenges but tremendous opportunities for growth. As we navigate the path ahead, let us do so with unwavering courage, determination and collective spirit.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the spirit of the season, let us also take a moment to reflect on the less fortunate among us. As we embark on this new beginning, let kindness be our compass, guiding us to make a positive impact on the lives of others in keeping with the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
On that note, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee, whose unwavering efforts have paved the way for the success of this event. The chosen theme, "A Time To Give," perfectly embodies the essence of Christmas, as we fulfil the wishes of children from The Salvation Army Penang Children's Home and bring joy to seniors from Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged.
Having said that, to those celebrating Christmas, may your festivities be blessed, and to all, I extend my warm wishes for a Happy New Year 2024 filled with hope, peace, and prosperity.
Thank you and may the spirit of unity and progress continue to guide us in the year ahead.