Ipoh: The manufacturing sector remained the main driver of Perak’s economy, expanding 5.1 per cent in 2024 and contributing 19.4 per cent to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad highlighted the sector’s prominence in the Perak 2024 Socioeconomic Report, which helped elevate the state’s overall GDP growth to 4.4 per cent, valued at RM86.2 billion, compared with 2.7 per cent a year earlier.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saarani noted that the performance demonstrated Perak was on the right path towards achieving more inclusive and sustainable economic development. He stated, “This achievement underscores the fact that manufacturing is the key driver of investment, job creation and the state’s competitiveness,” during the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Perak 57th Anniversary Dinner.

Present at the event were Perak State Committee chairman for Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Loh Sze Yee, FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, and FMM Perak chairman Chua Kay Lin. Saarani emphasized the state government’s dedication to expanding collaboration, including with FMM, to tackle challenges within the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

He further added that such collaborative efforts would benefit both the state government and industry players, who are integral to Perak’s economic framework. Saarani expressed optimism, stating, “I believe with the shared commitment of the state government, the federal government, industry through FMM and the people, Perak can become a model of a modern, sustainable and competitive industrial state, not only for Malaysia but also as a reference point for Southeast Asia.”

On the labour market front, Saarani reported improvements, with the state’s unemployment rate declining to 3.6 per cent, while labour force participation increased to 66.56 per cent. He also noted progress in skills initiatives, citing a rise in Perak’s average monthly wage to RM2,973 in 2023, maintaining an upward trajectory.