PADANG BESAR, July 29 — Companies planning to invest RM4.5 billion in the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA) are expected to create about 12,000 job opportunities for the people of Perlis.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said the long-term investment could help restore the people’s socioeconomic position post-COVID-19.

“At a time when we are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, such investments will have a positive impact on Perlis, including increasing the state’s Gross Domestic Product.

“It will also provide jobs to the locals, raising the per capita income as companies intensify their developmental efforts,” he told Bernama after an investment commitment ceremony organised by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) at CVIA’s Integrated Business Centre yesterday.

At the event, Azlan witnessed the exchange of documents between the five companies and NCIA chief executive Datuk Seri Issace John Jebasingamto to recognise the investment commitments.

The five companies are FGV Integrated Farming Holdings Sdn Bhd, MRCB Global Solutions, BioTech Birdnest Sdn Bhd, Dibuk Synergy Sdn Bhd and Empayar Paradiqma Sdn Bhd.