Construction work on 'Ipoh Shoe City' project to start next month

IPOH (Mar 19): Construction work on the "Ipoh Shoe City" project, situated in the Pengkalan Industrial park, is expected to start next month and scheduled to be completed in two years.

State chairman for Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transport and Non-Islamic Affairs Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the RM20 million project would be developed by the Perak Shoe Industry Association at a 10.5 hectare site.

Mah said the "Ipoh Shoe City" would become home to about 300 industry players in the business and exhibition centre.

"The shoe manufacturing industry is important to the country. Currently, about 70% of the RM1 billion worth of shoe exported to other countries, are produced in Perak," he told reporters after chairing a meeting on the "Ipoh Shoe City" project here on Monday.

He added that about 500 shoe manufacturers had been involved in the shoe producing industry for about 100 years.

"All types of branded or non-branded shoes are produced here, including renown brands in the world," he said.

Mah said the project that would become a one-stop centre and hub for shoe production in the country, would also be able to attract foreign investment and tourism. — Bernama