Gopeng Rtc, M'sia's Curtain Raiser For Final Phase Of Rural Development

IPOH (Perak, Malaysia), Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The Gopeng Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) represents the curtain raiser for the final phase of the rural development programme, said Prime Minister Najib Razak. He said the final phase was expected to be fully completed in 2020 in line with several of the government's development programmes including the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the Government Transformation Programme (GTP). "The launching of the RTC signifies the entry of the final round of our efforts to develop the rural areas," he said at the official launch of the Gopeng RTC, here Saturday. Gopeng is a town located in the District of Kampar in the northern state of Perak. The Gopeng RTC will pave the way for other RTCs throughout the country -- RTC Kota Baharu (Kelantan) which is operational, RTC Kuala Kedah (Kedah), Kuala Linggi (Melaka), Tanjung Manis (Sarawak) and Pekan Nenas (Johor) which would be opened later. The RTC initiative was established under the 4th National Blue Ocean Strategic Thrust aimed at providing access to the rural community to activities with high-value added elements to give economic impact and redoubling their income. Najib said the Gopeng RTC would become a one-stop-centre for residents living within a radius of 100 kilometres from the area. "The centre in Gopeng can provide services including in West Pahang, northern part of Selangor and Gua Musang. It becomes the nerve centre for the growth of the rural community," he said. The Prime Minister said the RTC provided various types of training including skill in agro-business, agriculture and commerce. He said the RTC would also complement the government's rural development agenda started in the 60's and 70's. "It is now time for rural development to be carried out in line with the national transformation agenda where it must be inclusive, sustainable and revenue generating so that the country can achieve the developed nation status," he said. Najib said the first phase of rural development involving the provision of electricity and water supply and construction of roads in peninsular Malaysia had almost been completed. "We will continue with the rural development in terms of basic amenities. In two years' time, these facilities would have been completed fully," he said. He pointed out that government efforts in developing the rural community had been successful with the emergence of national leaders from the rural areas. The Prime Minister said that besides the rural development programmes, the government had also implemented various mega projects to generate the national economy. Najib gave his assurance that various programmes would continue to be carried out to develop the rural dwellers in line with Vision 2020. -- BERNAMA