Singapore eyes potential in Negri’s Malaysian Vision Valley

Courtesy call: Aminuddin greeting Vivian (right) in Seremban. - Bernama

SEREMBAN: Singapore has expressed interest to invest in Negri Sembilan’s sprawling Malaysian Vision Valley (MVV 2.0) new growth area which is twice the size of the republic.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan indicated this when he made a courtesy call on him on Tuesday.

“They see a big potential in the strategically located MVV 2.0 and have asked us to send a trade delegation to the republic to explain to potential investors of the opportunities.

“The minister also asked if we had a sufficient workforce in the state or if we had to bring in foreign workers to work at the industries at the MVV2.0, ” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting yesterday.

Aminuddin said the state government was also invited to set up an investment and trade office in the republic.

The MVV 2.0 development, to be carried out in the 153,411ha new growth area spanning from Seremban to Port Dickson, is envisioned to be a world-class metropolis and part of Greater Kuala Lumpur.

To be carried out over 30 years, it is expected to attract some RM294bil in investments till 2045 and will see the creation of some 600,000 jobs.

It will have six “heartbeat” projects with the first being a 1,135ha hi-tech industrial park due to open in Labu next year.

On the total amount of Singaporean investments in the state, Aminuddin said the figure was small but was confident it could increase if the republic knew what Negri Sembilan had to offer.

“We want to attract more investors to the MVV2.0 and hope to provide incentives such as a free trade zone for high tech industries as this will also encourage our skilled workers to return home, ” he said.

State Investment, Industrialisation, Education, Entrepreneurship and Human Capital Committee chairman Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek said they would send more trade delegations abroad to attract investors.

“We have been proactive and have sent delegations to China and Taiwan and are planning to go to Europe early next year, ” he added.