Lee: This year we expect the digital economy sector to be stronger
DIGITAL economy will be one of the key sectors expected to see positive growth in Johor this year in line with International Trade and Industry Ministry’s (Miti) investment target.
State investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the state was currently in talks with companies from Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore as well as local companies to set up their operations in this sector in Johor.
“Last year, Johor saw a lot of interest in data centre investment from all around the world but this year, we expect the digital economy sector to be stronger,” he said, adding that Miti’s five promoted sectors are digital economy, electrical and electronics (E&E), pharmaceuticals, chemicals and aerospace.
“These sectors bring significant economic potential and sustainable long-term growth,” he said when contacted.
Lee added that any investment that relates to the sectors would also receive incentives from the government.
“These are the five key sectors Miti is promoting and currently, we are facilitating about 20 projects in all of them,” he said, adding that many other investors were either coming into the state or expanding.
Lee said there were two pharmaceutical companies from the United States and one petrochemical company from China looking into investing in the country.
“We expect them to have finalised their investment by the second quarter of this year.
“Usually the process will take about six months as it involves many rounds of discussion with relevant agencies and government bodies,” he added.
Asked to comment on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s calls to strengthen economic ties with Indonesia, Lee said the state government had visited the Indonesian Consulate-General in Johor Baru.
“The Governor of Indonesia’s Riau Islands (Kepri) province recently met with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to revive the Singapore-Johor-Riau (Sijori) economic growth triangle initiatives.
“For a start, we will be exploring the healthcare and tourism sectors because there are quite a number of Indonesians seeking treatment in Johor.
“We also hope they will make Johor their number one choice for tourism,” he said, adding that, the state planned to increase the frequency and efficiency of ferry services between the two countries.
