From left: Phan Yan Chan, Divisional GM, EcoWorld; Liew Tian Xiong, Deputy CEO; Datuk Chang Khim Wah, President & Chief Executive Officer; Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee; Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director, SD Guthrie; Datuk Ramlee A Rahman, President and Group Chief Executive, PDT; and Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad, Deputy Group Managing Director, SD Guthrie
KUALA LUMPUR: Eco World Development Group Bhd
and SD Guthrie Land Ventures Sdn Bhd have entered into a strategic partnership with Johor's state investment arm, Permodalan Darul Ta'zim Sdn Bhd (PDT), to develop a new integrated industrial park in Kulai.
The RM3.75bil gross development value project, dubbed Eco Business Park 8, will be developed over a proposed eight to 10 years on a 935.24-acre freehold site.
Under the partnership, the site will be acquired by a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Eco Business Park 8 Sdn Bhd (EBP8SB), which will be incorporated by the trio of companies.
The SPV will be 65%-owned by EcoWorld; SD Guthrie Land Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SD Guthrie Bhd, will hold 25%; while the remaining 10% will belong to PDT.
"The project is designed to serve high-value and innovation-led sectors including high-tech and artificial intelligence supply chains, advanced electrical and electronics, biotechnology and medical technologies, food technologies and logistics," said a joint statement issued by the parties.
According to the statement, the site is strategically located within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), in proximity to Senai International Airport, and well connected via the North-South Expressway.
"These advantages enhance its appeal to domestic and international industrialists seeking efficient access, strong logistical networks and a well-supported operating environment," it said.
EcoWorld president and CEO Datuk Chang Khim Wah said he is confident the project will attract quality investors to contribute to Johor's rise and a leading regional powerhouse for industry and innovation.
SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the group's industrial development portoflio is in its early days but shows promise of becoming an important contributor to its bottomline.
"The partnerships we have forged with well-known industry leaders such as EcoWorld, enable us to accelerate progress and to establish Guthrie in this new sector," he added.
PDT president and group CEO Datuk Ramlee A Rahman added that he development of Eco Business Park 8 is one of many opportunities envisioned under JS-SEZ.
"By positioning this development within the JS-SEZ corridor in Kulai, we are not just offering industrial land; we are creating a high-tech ecosystem capable of leveraging JS-SEZ incentives to attract top-tier multinational corporations."
