Johor Biotech Park to be first integrated halal park in the state

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Biotech Park, a 141.64ha project by United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand) and Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corp (J-Biotech), is poised to be the first integrated halal park in Johor.

A submission has been made to Halal Industry Development Corp Sdn Bhd (HIDC) for the park to be awarded as HALMAS designated halal park.

With a total gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5bil, the Johor Biotech Park would be completed over the next five to seven years consisting of three phases, said Mohd Noor Abd Salam, chief executive officer of Tentu Teguh Sdn Bhd (TTSB), a unit of UMLand.

“We are committed to transform and rebrand the land, within the 202.34ha Felda Scheme to be one of the viable areas and able to generate better economic growth within Pasir Gudang, Johor.

“We hope that Johor Biotech Park will be the first integrated Halal Park with international standard that can attract small and medium enterprises both local and foreign,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Earlier, UMLand signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HIDC during the opening ceremony of the three-day 11th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), which began Tuesday.

Mohd Noor added that there would be a 50:50 ownership ratio between the locals and foreign companies to operate in the halal park, which has now received positive response.

“The first phase which began last year is now 30% complete, and involves the development of factories with a GDV of RM250mil,” he added.

J-Biotech chief executive officer Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid said the halal park would be an ecosystem to attract companies competing with others.

“It’s a healthy competition as every company will have their own niche. As Johor is rich in its food industry, therefore the locals are encouraged to grab these opportunities but it has got to be bio-based,” he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, WIEF chairman Tun Musa Hitam said the signing of five MoUs during the day were reflected in projects that were already on the launching phase.

“For instance, a biotechnology centre in Johor is a very serious project and I am one of the advisors for Iskandar region as well as UMLand,” he added.

The other MoUs signed on Tuesday were between Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd, and between Malaysia Islamic Economic Development Foundation and Islamic Development Bank Group. - Bernama