GEORGE TOWN: The proposed Greater Penang Transformation Programme (GPTP), which is likely to include parts of Kedah and Perak, may study how to improve the agriculture supply chain and logistic efficiencies, among others.

Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, Greater Penang has already been earmarked to benefit from a total investment of RM17.9 billion to upgrade physical infrastructure to enhance access and connectivity.

"This needs to be synergised with the Entry Point Projects of the Economic Transformation Programme to prime Penang as the leading urban centre in the Bay of Bengal and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Golden Triangle," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala told Business Times.

Jala is also chief executive officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), which will arrange lab sessions to tackle the GPTP.

Pemandu will do this with the help of Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Penang state government.

"We expect the four to six-week Greater Penang Transformation Programme (GPTP) lab to begin as soon as possible and have commenced preparations to determine the scope of the lab, organisational roles, processes and participants," he said.

The GPTP may also look at how to boost tourism and education.

"Medical travel and the George Town-Butterworth waterfront development will be a huge boost to the tourism sector," he added.

In education, the lab should review the current and future needs for human capital in the region and seek new initiatives by the private sector to address those needs.

Agencies that may be involved include the Economic Planning Unit, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority, along with state and local authorities, such as the Penang State Economic Planning Unit and Penang Development Corp.

Others may include infrastructure and utilities firms, learning institutions like Universiti Sains Malaysia, heritage and public-interest bodies, along with industry and business groups such as those involved in property, tourism and industry.

SOURCE: Business Times