GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - A specialist centre cum resort providing Western and Eastern medical and homeopathy treatment -- touted to be the first in Asia -- will be built in Batu Kawan in Penang.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Farrali International Specialist Hospital and Wellness Resort (FISH-WR) to be completed by 2011 would attract more medical tourists to Penang.

He said medical tourism would be further developed to increase the state tourism's contribution to the GDP from 22% to 30% by 2013.

"Medical tourism's potential has increased since people discovered they can enjoy five-star medical treatment at affordable costs at different locations in the world.

"We do not want to be left out of this industry and FISH-WR will make medical tourism a success in Penang," he said at the agreement signing ceremony between Penang Develop- ment Corporation and Farrali Mutiara Medical Group (KPFM).

Lim, who is chairman of the corporation, said the state-of-the-art FISH-WR would change the country's medical tourism landscape and set itself apart from other healthcare centres focusing on medical tourism.

To be built by the 100% Bumiputra-owned KPFM, the 60,703 sq m hospital will be a leading diabetic and cancer care centre in the region and provide complementary healing methods like acupuncture and ayurvedic treatments.

Other facilities include 200 service apartments, 30 floating chalets, 100 hotel rooms and a nursing institute run by an established international nursing college to provide education and training in the field.

KPFM chief executive officer Dr Mohd Ghouse Mohd Noor said the RM300mil project would be completed in 2011 and create 300 jobs in the early stages.