IPOH, July 24 (Bernama) -- Perak plans to develop Meru Raya into a creative multimedia hub for the northern region, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said K-Perak INC Corporation, the Perak State Economic Development Corporation (PKNP) and Dubai-based animation company Spacetoon International were behind the initiative.

"The first phase of the Spacetoon Media Hub project will involve an animation film production centre costing RM5 million.

"When operational in Nov, the centre will produce 156 episodes of 2-D animation films for the Arab and European markets, employing 120 to 200 animators," he said at the convocation of SPIKE@KPerak and KPerak Infomediaries, an IT training and apprenticeship programme by Malaysian e-business company SKALI here Thursday.

A 3-D animation production centre was also being planned by KPerak INC Corporation with cooperation of local company In-Fusion Solutions Sdn Bhd-Go Academy.

Mohammad Nizar said the state government wanted to create ICT entrepreneurs via KPerak Infomediaries where umemployed graduates will be trained under the KPerak Bridz Community programme.

"They will visit rural areas and brief the people on the basics of ICT and use of digital equipments like computers, internet and printers to upgrade their living standard."

KPerak INC Corporation with cooperation of Universiti Teknologi Petronas at Seri Iskandar also offer a programme to train ICT graduates in professional certification aimed at upgrading their skills.

The menteri besar said KPerak INC Corporation via KPerak Academy was in discussion with BUZZnet Labs of United States to conduct the IT and Business IT Internship programme for ICT graduates.