'DRB's auto complex gives huge benefits'

PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the DRB-Hicom Automotive Complex in
Pekan, which started as a small factory in 1984, is now giving huge
benefits to the country and is expected to contribute RM12 billion to
gross national income (GNI) by 2015.


The Prime Minister said the complex, which began operations with 200
workers, now employed close to 3,200 workers and stands on par with
other international automotive producers.


"In the long term, the investment here amounted to RM4.5 billion
(for three-phase implementation of the complex) and create 10,000 job
opportunities," he said in his speech at a gathering ceremony with
workers of DRB-Hicom Pekan here today.


Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, DRB-Hicom Bhd
chairman Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Murtaza and DRB-Hicom group managing
director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.






The Prime Minister said the automotive complex in Pekan represented one
of the government's transformation efforts which succeeded in changing
the landscape of the town, whose residents were previously involved in
agriculture and fisheries.



He said the success of the automotive industry in Pekan was the
result of a collaboration between DRB-Hicom and the Barisan Nasional
government in making huge improvements to drive the economic growth of
the town, which ultimately provide benefits to the rakyat.


Najib said the government always adopted the approach to help the
business community through various incentives to attract foreign
investments into the country.


The success of DRB-Hicom in Pekan, which attracted the collaboration
and cooperation with various automotive giants, showed that the
cooperation has brought prosperity to the residents.



Najib said he was made to understand that Volkswagen, which has a
collaboration in an assembly plant in Pekan, would pump in an additional
investment of RM600 million.


Besides assembling various car brands such as Mercedez Benz, Honda,
Isuzu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen, DRB-Hicom also produces
armoured vehicles.



At the event, Najib also announced a family insurance plan for
DRB-Hicom employees to cover themselves and their families in cases of
accidents, permanent disability and death.


The insurance plan is offered as part of DRB-Hicom's efforts to
improve staff welfare as well as to recognise their dedication.--
Bernama