Kuala lumpur: Permodalan Darul Ta’zim Sdn Bhd (PDT), SD Guthrie Land Ventures Sdn Bhd (SDGLV), and Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) have entered a strategic partnership to develop a significant integrated industrial park in Kulai, Johor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collaboration was formalized through a Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement (SSA), under which the three entities will jointly participate in Eco Business Park 8 Sdn Bhd (EBP8SB), a special purpose vehicle created to acquire and develop a 378.47-hectare freehold land.
Under the SSA, EcoWorld will hold a 65 percent equity stake in EBP8SB, SDGLV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SD Guthrie Bhd, will own 25 percent, while PDT will possess the remaining 10 percent. The development, named Eco Business Park 8, is projected to span eight to ten years and has an estimated gross development value of RM3.75 billion.
The business park will include an integrated industrial ecosystem with industrial lots, ready-built facilities, and supporting commercial components. The project aims to serve high-value and innovation-driven sectors, targeting industries such as high-tech and artificial intelligence supply chains, advanced electrical and electronics, biotechnology and medical technology, food technology, and logistics.
Strategically situated within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the location provides proximity to Senai International Airport and connectivity via the North-South Expressway, enhancing its appeal to both domestic and international industrial entities seeking efficient access and robust logistical networks. The joint venture is anticipated to generate significant benefits and accelerate the growth of Iskandar Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem.
This collaboration aligns with Johor’s ambition to foster sustainable economic development and position the state for industrial transformation. It marks EcoWorld’s second joint venture with Guthrie, following a partnership in April 2025 to develop Eco Business Park 7 in Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0, Negeri Sembilan.
EcoWorld’s president and CEO, Datuk Chang Khim Wah, stated that the partnership merges a shared vision for sustainable and future-ready development, combining EcoWorld’s strengths to meet demand from technology-driven sectors. PDT president and CEO, Datuk Ramlee A Rahman, noted that the project is a key opportunity under the JS-SEZ, offering a high-tech ecosystem to attract multinational corporations.
SDGLV group managing director, Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, emphasized that the partnership allows SD Guthrie to progress and establish itself in a new sector, highlighting the potential for meaningful benefits for Johor and Malaysia. He added that the new industrial development business vertical shows strong potential to contribute significantly to SD Guthrie’s financial performance.