DEPUTY Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon attended the 30th anniversary celebration of BBS Automation on Jan 11.

The event marked the continued confidence of BBS, with its headquarters in Germany, towards Penang as an intelligent, international and liveable city.

Mohd Rashid, in his speech, paid tribute to German investments in the state which contributed enormously for Penang’s economic growth.

“German investors have been among Penang’s largest FDI contributor in Penang with the total investment value of RM5.15 billion,” he said.

“I was informed that BBS Automation plans to expand and double its existing building size by 2019. As one of the more than 300 multinational companies in Penang, I’m confident the presence of German businesses will be further strengthened in Penang,” he added.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) recently announced Penang as the second top recipient of approved manufacturing investment for the first three quarters of 2017 valued at RM9.9 billion.

The deputy chief minister also highlighted the forged cooperation between the state government and industries on the Malaysia Meister Programme which is based on German standards.

“The Penang state government has allocated RM6 million to the Malaysia Meister Programm e to train our skilled talents in Penang based on German Training Standards. Under the programme, the state sponsors the tuition fees while participating employers pay the trainees a minimum wage of at least RM1,000,” Rashid noted.

Also present were executive director of Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Daniel Bernbeck, Invest Penang CEO Datuk Loo Lee Lian and Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) CEO Muhamed Ali Hajah Mydin.

Source: Buletin Mutiara