SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The socioeconomic component is the focus of SERI's concerns. One of Seri's earliest projects was the Socioeconomic Study of the Indian Community in Penang, commissioned by the Penang State Government. Based on results of this study, several actions were initiated, among which is the formation of the Special Working Committee on Tamil Schools under the Penang Educational Consultative Council (PECC). A second socioeconomic study was conducted on the pig-farming industry to evaluate its problems and sustainability after an outbreak of the Nipah virus that devastated many pig farms in Malaysia.

SERI also provides monthly economic briefing to the State Government, as well as produces the Quarterly Penang Statistics. A fortnightly round-up on the regional economy is presented in the Asian Economic Outlook.

Other significant SERI involvements are the formulation of the Malaysian Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Plan, concentrating on the electronics and electrical sector, as well as the Penang State Innovation Survey in collaboration with the University of Hannover, Germany.