Centre aims to facilitate state and Federal Govt collaboration
JOHOR BARU: The much anticipated one-stop investment facilitation centre, the first of its kind in the country, is expected to open this year, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
The Mentri Besar said the centre was among initiatives towards the setting up of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
“Johor will have an investment facilitation centre that will see the collaboration of all federal and state agencies that are related to investment.
“There is one centre in Kuala Lumpur but it does not have the special state and Federal Government collaboration like the one here.
“Our target is to have the centre ready by this year,” he said in a press conference after visiting the Sungai Layang Dam and Kota Masai Main Intake Substation in Pasir Gudang here yesterday.
Also present were Johor investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han and Johor works, transportation, and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
Onn Hafiz said the centre will make it easier for investors to bring their business to the state as they will only need to go there for all their investment needs.
All ears: Onn Hafiz (centre) listening to a briefing from Tenaga Nasional Berhad during his visit to the Kota Masai Main Intake Substation in Pasir Gudang, Johor Baru.
During the memorandum of understanding signing of the JS-SEZ between Malaysia and Singapore last month, the two countries outlined several initiatives in building towards the economic zone.
Other initiatives were the implementation of a passport-free QR code clearance system on both sides and the adoption of digitalised processes for cargo clearance at land checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz said that the Johor Fast Lane concept, which aims at reducing red tape in dealings on council matters, has also attracted investors.
“The concept started through the Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) before it was expanded to other local councils.
“Currently, four local councils – Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) and MPKu – have been implementing the concept aggressively,” he said.
He added that last year, Johor attracted 30 investors through the four local councils.
Separately, the Mentri Besar said there is sufficient water and electricity supply in Johor, which also makes the state more attractive to investors.
“Among the main objectives of the visit to the two places here was to prove that we have ample water and electricity supply in Johor. In fact, we have more than enough.
“For electricity alone, we can supply more than 10,000 megawatts but we only need about 2,700 megawatts. This means that we have a surplus of about 75% in terms of electricity supply.
“As for water, there are 13 projects and three studies that are being carried out to increase water supply.
“Once the projects have been completed, we will see an increase of 1,170 million litres per day. This will increase our water reserve by 18%,” he said.
