KUALA LUMPUR, 28th May 2025 – In another significant milestone, the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore collaboration in sustainable food security and strategic investments related to the Bagan Datuk International Maritime Terminal (BDI-SMT) project. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief Minister of Perak, YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad.

His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, was also present to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to strengthening regional food supply chains and creating long-term strategic value through agricultural innovation and economic cooperation.

This partnership underscores international investor confidence in the viability of the BDI-SMT project and Perak’s role as a key player in advancing global food security. Datuk Redza Rafiq, Chief Executive of PKNPk, highlighted that this collaboration paves the way towards building a sustainable, globally connected food ecosystem, aligned with the vision of Perak Sejahtera 2030.

Together with strong interest from China and strategic partnerships with the UAE, this integrated investment initiative is poised to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI), positioning Perak as a central engine of economic growth in the region.