By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 11 — The Balakong state constituency’s industrial tourism programme, launched in June last year, has attracted the interest of small-and-medium-sized industrial entrepreneurs (SMEs) from various fields to the area.
Its incumbent state assemblyman Wong Siew Ki said six factories and a restaurant have participated in the initiative so far, with their operations promoted to the public via video productions.
“In the beginning, only three factories participated in the programme, but within a few months, three more factories and a restaurant supported our effort and joined in.
“Given the positive response, we are now preparing for further factory participation in the third phase,” she said when contacted yesterday.
The factories include Benns Ethicoa’s chocolate factory, Yu Ai Food Industries Sdn Bhd’s mooncake factory, Ligno Biotech’s tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) factory, Le Gardenz, Mu Artisan’s soy sauce factory, So Young’s tofu factory, Ni Hsin’s stainless steel factory, and the Tea X Hub restaurant.
Wong said the plan to promote industrial tourism was initiated after a study visit to seven factories in the area on November 2019, followed by a year-long data collection and analysis process.
“After carrying out the analysis and induction, we finalised the details and plans for industrial tourism, before preparing to implement the programme and promote it,” she said.
On March 12, the Balakong state constituency organised the Fiesta Seni, Budaya dan Industri (BICA Fiesta), which successfully brought together 10 factories to promote their respective products.
Meanwhile, Wong said 10 public facilities in Balakong have been upgraded under Projek Selangor Penyayang (PSP) this year.
The maintenance works carried out via a RM100,000 allocation were done in cooperation with the Kajang Municipal Council and the Hulu Langat District and Land Office.
She said the works included the entrance archways of Kampung Baru Balakong, Kampung Baru Batu 11, and Kampung Sungai Balak, as well as playgrounds in Taman Suria Jaya, Taman Bukit Angsana, Taman Taming Kiri, and Taman Sri Cheras.
“We also refurbished the roof of Taman Megah’s market, and installed a roof for the basketball court in Kampung Baru Sungai Chua and the futsal court in Kampung Sungai Balak,” Wong said.
The assemblyman added that upgrading these facilities has brought relief to local residents, who have been hoping for more comfortable facilities to carry out community activities.
“I wish to thank all quarters who have supported and contributed to the successful implementation of the projects,” she said.
During the tabling of the 2023 Selangor Budget on November 25 last year, RM28 million was allocated to accelerate and stimulate the local economy by providing for small projects under PSP.
The aim is to maintain and upgrade infrastructure and develop public government facilities, including those which lack annual maintenance allocations.
