By P PREM KUMAR & ALIFAH ZAINUDDIN / Pic By BERNAMA

The suspended Rubber City project in Kedah, which aimed to attract investments close to RM10 billion, will be implemented next year.

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (picture) said the project’s implementation has been approved in the National Physical Planning Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The request to obtain a planning order was submitted to the Padang Terap District Office on Oct 25, Azmin told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

“The government is aware of the importance of the Kedah Rubber City (KRC) project in ensuring the development balance between states and regions in Malaysia.

“It also accelerates the socio-economic development in Kedah, especially in providing job opportunities to local residents,” he said, when winding up the debate on the 11th Malaysia Plan’s midterm review.

The project was a national-level strategic project designed to benefit both Malaysia and Thailand. It aimed to contribute RM14.7 billion to the country’s GDP within 15 years of operations.