{
  "id": 2066765,
  "title": "New RM20mil motorsport circuit in Perlis to boost border tourism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/new-rm20mil-motorsport-circuit-in-perlis-to-boost-border-tourism",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T03:39:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1515049/new-rm20mil-motorsport-circuit-perlis-boost-border-tourism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new RM20 million motorsport circuit is being built in Perlis, with the aim of stimulating the state's economy and border tourism. The 1.3km circuit, under construction at the Chuping Valley Industrial Area, is expected to draw motorsport enthusiasts from Malaysia and Thailand. Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah announced the project, which will serve as a new tourism attraction and support local businesses. The facility, developed in partnership with ESR Motors, is also intended to be a model for motorsport development in neighboring countries and the wider Asian region. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for September 15. Abu Bakar believes the circuit will attract more Thai visitors, who could spend on accommodation, food, and other goods and services in Perlis, thereby boosting the local economic chain. The state government is also seeking potential investors to develop a five-star hotel in the region. To further bolster border tourism, the government plans to explore a twin-city concept involving Perlis-Brunei and Perlis-Bangkok with the Brunei and Thai governments. While no official meetings have been set, the state plans to make working visits to both countries to discuss the initiative.",
  "summary": "PADANG BESAR: The RM20 million motorsport circuit under construction at the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA) is expected to boost Perlis' economy and border tourism by attracting motorsport enthusiasts from Malaysia and Thailand.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}