3 core sectors to spearhead Johor’s regional economic plan

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Three core economic sectors have been identified to spearhead Johor’s mission and vision to emerge as the new regional economic powerhouse.

Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said plans already in the pipeline to turn Johor as the hubs for the halal, bioeconomy and food-based products.

“It is vital for Johor to start exploring new economic sectors and diversified portfolio instead of being too dependent on the existing sectors,’’ he said at the tabling of the state Budget 2017 at the state assembly sitting.

Mohamed Khaled said the state government would allocate about RM5.5mil for the halal master plan under the state’s Budget 2017.

He said RM5mil would be used to set up Johor Toyyiban Laboratories Sdn Bhd (JTLab) expected to be operational in the third-quarter of next year offering halal certification and accreditation for domestic and foreign clients.

Mohamed Khaled said another RM500,000 would be utilised for the Johor halal masterplan known as Johor Halalan Toyyiban Roadmap as a catalyst for Johor’s growth as a halal hub.

He said the state-owned company Johor Biotechnology & Biodiversity Corp (J-Biotech) would undertake a project to develop a 141.64ha site with a private company as a halal hub.

“We are also banking on our position as one of the top three states in the country in the agricultural producer to develop the bioeconomy sector,’’ said Mohamed Khaled.

He said the state government would allocate RM700,000 for the upstream and downstream activities under the masterplan known as the DNA Bioekonomi Johor.

On food security, Mohamed Khaled said Johor wanted to be a leader in the segment as food security and adequacy not only involved the state level but also at the national level.

He said research by Khazanah Research Institute 2016 revealed that Malaysia spend RM45.4bil yearly on food imports and the country was only self-sufficient on poultry, pork and fish.

Mohamed Khaled said Johor Corporation would invest about RM37.98mil to develop a large scale supply chain for poultry while a private sector would undertake a dairy farm project.

“We will also allocate RM1.25mil to develop nucleus farms in Segamat to support the agriculture, husbandry and aquaculture activities,’’ he said.

Mohamed Khaled said the project on a 18.61ha site would benefit smallholders involved in vegetable, pineapple, corn, starfruit farming and red tilapia fish and deer breeding activities.

He said Johor recorded the highest investment in the manufacturing sector for three consecutive years and this had boost its position as the most preferred investment destination in the country.