THE PENANG state government is ramping up its efforts in tourism infrastructure development in an attempt to even out its revenue obtained from the manufacturing and services industries by 2020.
Penang chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, said: “Penang is an industrial state. Ninety-seven per cent (of our GDP) is from manufacturing and services, which contribute 57 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.”
“We would like to balance that within eight years, through increased tourism development, (which in turn will contribute to the services industry).”
According to Lim, air access has been identified as one of the key development areas to facilitate growth in local tourism.
So far, the state government has set aside MYR250 million (US$78.7 million) to expand the capacity of Penang International Airport from three to five million passengers per year. The expansion is scheduled for completion by November 24, 2012.
“Passenger traffic (at Penang International Airport) last year was 4.5 million, and by next year it will be over five million. So, once the airport (expansion) is finished, we will have to plan for a new airport,” said Lim.
