Kedah

Semiconductor powerhouse & the Rice Bowl of Malaysia

Top-performing state in manufacturing growth nationally in 2024 at 6.6%. Recorded RM30.98 billion in foreign investment activity in Q1 2024, highest in Malaysia for the manufacturing sub-sector.

GDP (2025)

RM56.3B

Real growth

4.1%

Approved 2021–2025

RM183.7B

Working age

1.5M

#5 fastest-growing manufacturing sector in Malaysia#6 largest agricultural economy in Malaysia

Economy by Sector

Share of Kedah's GDP, with real growth against 2024.

Services56.4%+3.9%
Manufacturing30.3%+5.0%
Agriculture10.6%+2.1%
Construction2.5%-0.6%
Mining & Quarrying0.2%-1.9%

Largest sector

Services

56.4% of GDP

Fastest growing

Manufacturing

+5.0% in 2025

Approved Investment

2021–2025, all economic sectors. Administration in office since May 2020.

68.3

2021

13.1

2022

28.7

2023

45.8

2024

27.8

2025

Total approvedRM183.7B

MIDA Investment Performance Reports. Figures are investment approved in each year, not received — projects typically take 18–24 months to reach full operation. 2021 is this administration's first full year in office.

Places to Invest

Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP): RM134.1 billion accumulated investment across 43 industries.
The Rice Bowl of Malaysia: ~70% of national rice production.
Bukit Kayu Hitam Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ): 11,600-acre Thai-border zone.
Kedah Rubber City (KRC): rubber-based downstream industrial park.

Strategic Narrative

The Greater Kedah vision.

Kedah Development Plan 2035.

Express Construction Permit (E10) driving investment surges.

Investment Agencies

Invest Kedah BerhadKulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC)PKNK

Enquire About Investment

2.24 million

Population

9,427 sq km

Land Area

Districts

95.1%

Citizens

Logistics Network

Airports

Langkawi International Airport (Langkawi Island)
Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar)

Railways

6 KTM Stations in Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pendang, Kuala Muda

Highways

Changlun – Perlis Highway: Interconnecting to PLUS Highway
Trans Eastern Kedah Interland Highway (TEKIH): 74 km
Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS Highway): 772 km total
Butterworth – Kulim Expressway (BKE): 17 km, interconnecting to PLUS Highway
Land Bridge: Penang – Bukit Kayu Hitam – Songkhla (230 km)

Ports

Penang Port: 88.2 km from BKH via PLUS, 26 km from KHTP via BKE

Industrial Parks & Zones

Kedah Science & Technology Park

1,938 acres

Target industries: Green Tech, Component R&D, Manufacturing, BioTech, Agro-science, advanced materials

Kulim Hi-Tech Park

4,510 acres

Target industries: Hi-Tech Clusters and activities

Kedah Aerotropolis

9,800 acres

Target industries: Kulim International Airport, Sidam logistics, aerospace & manufacturing hub (SLAM)