Budget 2017 in line with Kedah government's focus

ALOR STAR: The contents the 2017 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak today fits in very well with the Kedah state government's focus on elements such as the synergy of a new economy and the commercialism of agriculture, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.
He said that the state is also focusing on its efforts of becoming a hub for educational excellence, developing the rural areas and the tourism sector as well as boosting its human capital development.
"With an investment totalling €1 billion (RM5 billion) from Osram, a German company, at Kulim High Tech Park, it has the potential of becoming a large-scale economic catalyst.
"The 1Malaysia Training and Internship Scheme involving 20,000 university students, with an allocation of RM50 million will also benefit the state's youth," he said in a statement, here today.
Ahmad Bashah also expressed his gratitude in the awarding of RM156 million in the form of grants, and RM509 million in loan facility and RM500 million for the state's water supply while improving and upgrading its water supply facility.
He said overall, Budget 2017 was an indication that the country's economic policies were on track, at the same time, fending off accusations that Malaysia was heading towards bankruptcy.
"The fact is that the country's economic growth rate of 4%-5% percent has been maintained. The fiscal deficit has also been reduced to 3.0%. "The ratings as well as confidence of local and foreign investment in the country has been proven with RM88 billion worth of investments for 2016," he said.
Ahmad Bashah also said this was an inclusive and comprehensive Budget which touched the people's conscience, and could be summed up as a People's Budget, From the People and For the People.
"The focus continues to be on the lower income groups (B40 and M40)," he said. — Bernama