MB: Negeri GDP on the rise

The state has recorded a higher GDP figure last year and is aiming to exceed those figures for this year, says Mohamad Hasan.

SEREMBAN: The current Negeri Sembilan state assembly sitting could be the last session before the much anticipated 13th general election.

Throughout last year in every state assembly sitting, one of the popular questions raised by Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen was regarding the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Pakatan assemblymen had always pointed out that economic growth in Negeri Sembilan was far from commendable.

However, in the first sitting for this year, Menteri Besar Mohd Hasan (BN-Rantau) dismissed the criticism.

During the question and answer session yesterday, he revealed that the state recorded a better GDP at 5.9%.

“As for the total investment rate for 2011, the state government recorded RM22.8 billion compared to RM20 billion in 2010. This is due to new investments, especially in the industrial sector worth RM5.9 billion.

“For this year, the state government is targeting a higher GDP than last year since there are many foreign companies which will invest in Negeri Sembilan.

“Among them are a Japanese company that is producing automatic transmission systems for vehicles and an European company that will produce components for planes.

“We believe we can improve the investment rate,” he said, responding to a question from Zaifulbahri Idris (BN-Chembong).