Resourceless Malacca with a Iand area of only 1,638 sq. metres practises a two-pronged development via industrialisation and tourism. The state started inviting over foreign investors in the early 7Os and since then has met with commendable success. By end of 1997, the state had registered a total investment of over RM16 bil., leading to over 80,000 job opportunities. There are now 23 industrial estates with nearly 500 factories coming from the United States, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and also Singapore. Their products range from rubber gloves to sophisticated weaponry components and from footwear to computer parts. | |
| The state is also keen on the development of small-scale industries and to accommodate these, a number of estates have been earmarked for them. The Tanjung Kling and Batu Berendam areas are Free Trade Zones where imported materials used in manufacture are tax-free. Current projections include developing Malacca into a manufacturing haven to help achieve developed country status by 2020. Over 140 acres in Pegoh, Alor Gajah, have been earmarked for the automotive industry for the production of defence trucks by DRH-Hicom. This industry is expected to provide opportunities for supporting industries, like mould and die, metal stamping, plastic injection, alternators and many others. . Source : "You'll Love Malacca Guide & Information" by Wee Hock Chye. | |
