Johor government plans working mission to seven countries next month
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government is planning an investment promotion mission, beginning next month, to Dubai and thereafter to the United States ( US), Japan, South Korea, China and Australia to lure more foreign investors to Johor, says International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse.
He said the mission, a proactive effort by the government, would focus on attracting foreign investments to the high-technology and halal industries.
Puah, who is also a state executive councillor, said Johor had set a target to draw RM8 billion in direct foreign investments this year and the mission was one such effort towards realising that reality.
“Next month, we will visit Dubai. Our focus will be on the halal food processing industry as an international food festival will be held there, to be attended by many international manufacturers.
“We will also use the opportunity to market Johor, among these international patrons, as a halal hub for the Asian market.
“We will do the same to attract more investors to this industry, during our trip to China and Japan, as the demand for halal products is overwhelming in these two countries,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Big Wheel and URCE Alibaba Malaysia Channel Partner yesterday.
The MoU will facilitate the establishment of an academy to guide entrepreneurs in the state to market their products internationally, in the current digital era, via the e- commerce platform.
Puah also said the mission to the US would focus on hightechnology data as Johor planned to turn the state into an innovation valley like the Silicon Valley in San Francisco.
The state executive councillor also said a building materials company from Indonesia was expected to invest RM10 million to set up operations in Kulai after the state mounted an investment promotion mission to the neighbouring country in October 2018.
“Initially, the company had set its eyes on Selangor but, after much persuasion, decided on investing in Johor.
“The first first phase of its commercial operations will see the recruitment of 50 people. For me, this amount (of investment) is not big but it goes to show that these investors can be persuaded to come here to invest. — Bernama