Johor bahru: The Johor state government is optimistic about its trajectory towards becoming Malaysia’s new economic powerhouse, as it anticipates achieving the highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024. The state’s Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman, Lee Ting Han, highlighted this development following a report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor recorded a GDP growth of 6.4 percent, outpacing the national average of 5.1 percent. Lee Ting Han expressed his gratitude and pride through a Facebook post, emphasizing that Johor’s GDP has now reached RM158.0 billion. This positions the state as a significant contributor to Malaysia’s economy, alongside Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Sarawak.

The growth has been attributed to several sectors, with the construction sector experiencing a 42.7 percent surge. This boom is driven by large-scale data center projects and advancements in digital infrastructure, including cooling systems and high-capacity optical fibers.

Moreover, Lee stated that ongoing collaborations with the federal government are focusing on high-impact projects such as the widening of the North-South Expressway, the Senai-Desaru Expressway, the ART project in Iskandar Malaysia, the RTS Link, and the proposed Southern Route Commuter service.

Johor is also enhancing its investment and workforce ecosystem through the Johor Malaysian Investment Facilitation Centre and the Johor Talent Development Council, aiming to meet future industry demands. Key policies like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Forest City Special Financial Zone are designed to bolster the regional investment and financial services landscape.

‘With a combination of large-scale infrastructure projects, progressive investment policies, and a strategic position at the crossroads of ASEAN economies, Johor is not only recording growth but is also shaping the future of the country’s economy,’ Lee concluded.