Driving development in Iskandar Malaysia with foreign, local investments

Iskandar Malaysia has the right eco-system to attract new technology investments and will further strengthen Johor's position as the leading investment destination in Malaysia.

THE Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) will focus on economic and social recovery this year to further boost development in Iskandar Malaysia.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim said the move would increase job, entrepreneurship and business opportunities for locals as the nation recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said this could be achieved by increasing efforts to attract domestic and foreign investments into the region.

“Both domestic and foreign investments need to continue flowing into Iskandar Malaysia as they are the key drivers of the region’s development,” said Badrul Hisham during a briefing session for the media in Johor Baru.

He said Irda would work with relevant agencies such as Invest Johor, International Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority and other stakeholders to promote the region as an investment destination.

“The investments that come in will have the necessary impact to help local businesses and the public to recover, whether through job opportunities or products and services that can be offered,” said Badrul Hisham.

He said at the same time, Irda was extending its social-economic initiatives to support businesses to recover from the pandemic.

This would be achieved especially through the SECURE@Iskandar Malaysia initiative where thousands of eligible recipients had received assistance ranging from grants and funds, reskilling and upskilling, and capacity building last year.

“Reskilling, upskilling and capacity building are equally important to build more resilient workers and entrepreneurs,’’ he added.

Badrul Hisham said Irda was also seeing the recently announced sixth flagship development zone in Sedenak as another opportunity to spur the region’s economic recovery.

He said the development in Sedenak would speed up growth in the area and nearby districts to help the local community and strengthen the network of access between Johor and other states.

The other five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia are Johor Baru City Centre; Iskandar Puteri; Tanjung Pelepas and Tanjung Bin; Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat; and Senai-Skudai. — By ZAZALI MUSA