Penang beats 2026 NCER targets with RM36.62 billion invested
Employment creation reached 19,033 jobs by September 30, exceeding the state’s annual target of 9,000.
Realised investment in Penang under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) reached RM36.62 billion by September 30, above the RM22 billion target for 2026, according to the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA). Jobs created totalled 19,033, also exceeding the annual goal of 9,000.
NCIA chief executive Datuk Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said the figures reflected strong investor confidence in Penang’s industrial ecosystem, notably its electrical and electronics, semiconductor and advanced technology sectors. He said current progress put the state on course for cumulative realised investment of RM278.6 billion by 2030.
His statement was presented at the Penang State Steering Committee meeting, where projects discussed included the NCER Technology Innovation Centre. The Advanced Packaging Institute and Research Centre supports the centre’s work to strengthen semiconductor capabilities.
The committee also examined progress at Penang Durian Valley @ Relau. Physical construction stood at 48 per cent, with completion targeted for Q1 2027. The project is intended to boost agrotourism.
Separately, NCIA is running its Dapur Sentral Programme in the northeast and southwest districts. It plans to bring the programme to Seberang Prai to support local entrepreneurs involved in the halal food value chain.
For the wider NCER, the government’s cumulative realised investment goal is RM470 billion by 2030, against RM343.8 billion realised so far. Electrical and electronics, automotive, high-value tourism and modern agriculture are expected to provide 70 per cent of the targeted investment.
