SHAH ALAM, June 13 — The Selangor government's focus on developing the northern corridor, which includes Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor, has the potential to transform the area into a new economic hub for the state.
The corridor is expected to play a key role in the energy sector and strategic industries, helping Selangor address the challenges posed by the global energy crisis.
UniKL Business School economist Assoc Prof Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said the rural area possesses various strategic assets, including vast tracts of land, dams, solar energy sources, wind energy potential, maritime access and flat land suitable for large-scale development.
He said the development of the corridor could also attract high-value industrial investments, strengthen the new energy agenda and stimulate human capital development to support the state's long-term economic growth.
"This step can be considered a restructuring of Selangor's economic geography, the effects of which will become more pronounced over the next 20 years.
"The northern corridor has the potential to develop as the 'Energy and Heavy Industry Belt', while the western corridor involving Kuala Selangor and Port Klang can emerge as a hub for ports and green chemistry.
"At the same time, Petaling Jaya and Subang remain centres for research, development and finance," he told Bernama.
Recently, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), which will be tabled soon, will emphasise the development of rural areas including Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor.
He said the five-year development plan until 2030 is aimed not only at stimulating economic growth but also at ensuring the well-being of the people and the sustainability of the state's development.
According to Amirudin, one of the main approaches highlighted through RS-2 is the mission-oriented development model pioneered by the renowned economist Mariana Mazzucato.
Commenting on the matter, Aimi Zulhazmi said the approach could be implemented in Selangor but would need to be adapted to local needs and strengths.
"This approach needs to go through the 'Selangor-ise' process and cannot simply mimic models implemented in the United Kingdom or the United States.
"In the current context, the issues of liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, solar energy and grid infrastructure are systemic challenges that require comprehensive solutions.
"Rural areas, on the other hand, offer more space for the development of new energy compared with urban areas, which face land constraints and high development costs."
Meanwhile, Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato' Hasan Azhari Idris said the northern corridor development strategy is not only focused on attracting new investments but also on ensuring that economic benefits are enjoyed by local companies.
He said the entry of foreign investors, including the Chinese automotive company Chery, into Hulu Selangor is expected to create opportunities for local suppliers to provide components, raw materials and support services to the companies operating in the area.
"The planning of this area's development also provides capacity and space for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to operate near major industry players and become part of the same ecosystem," he said.
According to Hasan, Invest Selangor will continue to act as a facilitator through business-matching programmes, engagement sessions with investors and strategic collaborations with industry players to help local suppliers meet international standards and penetrate the global supply chain.
He said the agency also emphasises the development of local talent and the workforce to ensure that the economic spillover from investments can be enjoyed by the local community, especially in Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor.
