GEORGE TOWN (March 22): Penang’s medical tourism sector is set to receive a boost as a potential investor plans to invest in a new private hospital here.
State Domestic and International Trade, Entrepreneur Development and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said it was still too premature to make any announcement on the investment but this multi-million-ringgit investment could have a positive impact on the industry.
“We are looking at a new cancer (treatment) hospital but we are still at the early stage of discussion. We will make the announcement once everything is finalised,” he told reporters after attending the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) networking session here today.
Abdul Halim declined to reveal further details including the amount of investment.
He explained that most private hospitals in Penang had reached maximum capacity, which reflected the booming medical tourism here.
“Most of the hospitals in Penang are either undergoing expansion or are planning to expand in order to cope with the influx of patients, especially from Indonesia, with daily arrivals that could reach 1,300 people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, who is also the State Assemblyman for Batu Maung, said the State was still waiting for the feasible study report to assess the necessity for the construction of the proposed RM1.6 billion Kulim International Airport.
“We will gather the information from the industry players and wait for the study to be conducted on the project before making any further comment on the plan,” he said.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali announced earlier this week that the Federal Government had approved the construction of the Kulim International Airport in Kedah, which would be fully funded by the private sector.
The Penang International Airport is a mere 40 minutes away from the proposed airport.
Source: The Edge Markets
