GEORGE TOWN, May 9 -- About 80 per cent of gold manufacturing factories in Malaysia are concentrated in Penang, according to the Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellers Association of Malaysia (FGJAM).

FGJAM president Datuk Chiah Hock Yew said the gold manufacturers in this region are driving the industry toward greater heights.

"Penang and Seberang Perai are not only the core regions of gold manufacturing in Malaysia, but also possess great potential to become a centre for regional gold trade," he said in his speech at the Malaysia Gold and Jewellery Trade Exhibition 2025 at Setia Spice Convention Centre today.

He referred to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on April 18 which revealed the total export value of gol...