THE Batu Kawan Industrial Park on mainland Penang is opening up a “gold mine” with the development of the Gold and Jewellery Cluster by the Penang Goldsmith Association.

Five goldsmith and jewellery-making companies under the association will make a total investment of RM49.6 million on a total land area of 1.7ha in the industrial park.

The companies are G2 Gold (M) Sdn Bhd, Jin Huo Gold & Jewellery Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, TC Success Jewellery Sdn Bhd, TC Jewellery Sdn Bhd, and LKT Luck Sdn Bhd.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the five companies were expected to start work by the second half of this year or the first half of next year, pending approvals from the relevant authorities; and the facilities were expected to be ready within a year.

“We hope the entry of these five companies into Batu Kawan Industrial Park will strengthen Penang’s position as a major gold finishing hub, create higher value jobs and income opportunities for the craftsmen and downstream stakeholders in this industry,” he said at his office today.

Lim said Penang was the gold and jewellery state of Malaysia, with the Penang Goldsmith Association as one of the oldest trade associations in the country since it was set up in 1832.

“The Penang gold and jewellery industry in Penang is almost two centuries old and is the main contributor to the Malaysian gold and jewellery industry.

“The gold jewellery exports in 2016 for Malaysia is valued at RM7.2 billion, and out of the RM7.2 billion exports, Penang gold and jewellery industry exports contributed about RM6.1 billion exports or about 85%,” he said.

Penang companies, he said, have been exporting jewellery to over 20 countries including Japan, US, Germany, UAE, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, The Philippines and Singapore.

Lim said the relevant Penang state agencies would continue to facilitate, promote and support the growth of the industry.

Association advisor and TC Jewellery managing director George Lo said the investment would create over 600 jobs, such as professional gold and jewellery craftsman jobs that were highly valued. – May 18, 2017.