Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad’s arrival was greeted by Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin and Mohd Zaki Mahyudin.

IPOH, 25 August 2023 - Food security and employment opportunities, especially for the youths of Perak, were among the issues raised in the 2024 Perak Budget Dialogue programme at the Perak State Secretariat Banquet Hall.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad who chaired the dialogue, said that his side had started taking steps to address the issues raised by the attendees at the programme.

"We are trying our best to reduce our dependence on external sources for food.

"For example, in the fishing industry, the price of fresh water Tilapia fish increases because the ingredients in the fish feed come from Ukraine. When Ukraine went to war, the price of the ingredients became expensive, so the price of Tilapia fish had to be increased.

"Hence, we have taken steps to create a Food Security Academy. We have collaborated with Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) in strengthening the sustainability of food security via research and development (R&D) in an integrated manner," he said.

Meanwhile, in terms of employment opportunities, Perak has started to become an investor-friendly state.

"We have started several projects in Perak, including the Chinese automotive company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely) for the development and commercialisation of the Automotive High Technology Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, and the Silver Valley Technology Park industrial area construction projects in Kanthan.

"These projects will create high job opportunities for the youths," he said at the programme.

Also present were State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Halizah Sipun, 59 State Assemblymen and 24 state government agencies.

Mohd Zaki Mahyudin also presented the current financial position. The state government welcomes all suggestions for state development, including improvements to existing projects or programmes to be considered in the 2024 Budget.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.