KANGAR, Aug 3 — The Perlis government plans to turn the Chuping Valley, encompassing 2,482 acres, into a high-tech industrial hub.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said to achieve the objective, the state government welcomed investors be they locals or foreigners who are interested to invest in the area.

He said this when replying to questions from Khaw Hock Kong (BN-Titi Tinggi Assemblyman) and Nurulhisham Yaakob (BN-Simpang Empat Assembly) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

According to Azlan, so far there were two foreign investors, from Japan and China, who have shown interest to invest in that area.

"The Japan company intends to venture into a solar project with an investment estimating RM400 million while the Chinese company intends to build a plant manufacturing energy efficient vehicles which estimated to cost around RM2 billion,” he said.

Azlan said the selection of companies would be evaluated based on their profiles; capability in terms of expertise and finance; and approval from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

He added that since 2013, 19 companies or investors form various industries had already invested in Perlis except for the Chuping Valley Development Area with a total value of investments reaching RM2.3 billion, including commercial and mixed development.

Meanwhile, Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kasim suggested that more buildings with unique designs should be built in Perlis to make the state a family tourism spot.

He said Perlis should learn from countries like Thailand, where they have done this.

He added the state government should be more creative and aggressive to find opportunities to enhance the tourism sector.

State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry chairman Ahmad Bakri Ali told the assembly that the state government would be utilising the latest technology for traceability of Harumanis mangoes produced by farms in the state next year.

Replying to a question from Asmaiza Ahmad (BN-Chuping), he said the state agricuture deparment would handle the task which would entail colour or bar coding.

Perlis is famous for the highly sought after mangoes somewhat like the Alphonse mangoes from India and the move is being taken to weed out fakes. — Bernama