By David Tan, The Star

June 26, 2010

GEORGE TOWN: There will be 20,000 to 40,000 new jobs in Penang following the opportunities created by medical, renewable energy, electronics and tourism industries in the state.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government was now negotiating with three medical companies from the United States to invest in Penang, which is fast becoming a medical device manufacturing hub.

“On top of new medical investments, established player B Braun is undertaking expansion plan costing RM1.75bil to increase its output by 50%.

“This exercise is expected to create 450 to 750 jobs for B Braun,” he said.

He added that the state government was in talks with a few foreign renewable-energy companies keen to invest in Penang.

Lim said US-based Symmetry Medical Malaysia was allocating US$5mil to US$10mil a year over the next five years to expand its facility in Bayan Lepas Industrial Estate.

St Jude Medical, another US company, is scheduled to start operations next year and can create over 1,000 jobs when it is fully operational.

In the electronics sector, Osram’s new light-emitting diode wafer fabrication facility in Bayan Lepas Industrial Park will create about 1,000 jobs, increasing its workforce in Penang to some 4,000 by the year-end.

“These 20,000 to 40,000 jobs comprise a fair balance of knowledge-based and operator-level positions. That is why we invite Malaysians from other states to come to Penang to work,” Lim said.

Meanwhile, B Braun vice-president Dr Juergen Schloesser said the company’s RM1.75bil allocation was to expand its needle, surgical instrument, and pharmaceutical solution manufacturing facilities.

“We will also expand our B Braun Business School to provide comprehensive training and development programme ranging from technical to management skills,” he said.

Since 1972, B Braun has invested over RM1bil into its operations in Penang, creating about 4,700 jobs.