Johor bahru: The Johor state government is adopting a 'tailor-made' approach to attract investments, particularly for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), by catering to specific investor needs. This strategy was outlined by Johor's Economic and Investment Adviser Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, who highlighted the focus on aspects such as labor requirements and skilled talent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hasni elaborated on the state's customization efforts, stating that they adapt to meet each investor's requests, including the number of people and areas of expertise needed. This is facilitated through the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC). He spoke about these initiatives during a media conference following a Hari Raya celebration event with orphans and asnaf at a local hotel.
Hasni, who also serves as the executive chairman of the Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (Jetco) Singapore, emphasized that this approach helps address investors' uncertainties, thereby making Johor a more attractive investment destination. He noted that ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies is crucial to support these requirements effectively.
In his earlier address, Hasni underscored the potential of the JS-SEZ to position Malaysia, particularly Johor, as a strong economic partner with Singapore. He pointed out the complementary strengths of both regions, with Singapore offering expertise and Johor providing vast land and a larger workforce, aiming for mutual benefits from this collaboration.
He also stressed that policies for the JS-SEZ must be designed to provide tangible benefits to investors. Earlier in the month, T. Vinothan, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Singapore director, mentioned that a strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, based on a holistic ecosystem approach, is expected to drive Johor's economic transformation through the JS-SEZ. He highlighted the importance of coordination among the government, industry players, and investors in ensuring the smooth implementation of initiatives across investment, talent, and digital transformation.