JOHOR BARU: Enquiries at a one-stop centre set up to help facilitate investors in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) have been on the increase, with at least 142 queries since the opening of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) in Forest City last month.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) chief executive Datuk Noorazam Osman said that out of that, at least 24 investors have the potential to invest a total of RM11bil.
“These are potential investors who are serious about investing,” he said, adding that 80% of the enquiries received were from foreigners, mainly from Singapore, South Korea and Europe.
Noorazam said that the enquiries covered a wide range of industries and was open to foreigners and local businesses.
Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim launched the IMFC-J on Feb 18.
The JS-SEZ is expected to attract 50 to 100 high-growth projects over the next five to 10 years.
Noorazam said that the IRDA played an important role in overseeing the whole development agenda of Iskandar Malaysia and in helping address shortcomings in the growth corridor.
“Iskandar Malaysia will continue to be there. The JS-SEZ is a new narrative that has been added to Iskandar, which will include two more areas, including Penggerang and Forest City,” he said during a buka puasa event with the media here on Monday.
He said that the IRDA would continue to provide updates on the situation to boost investor confidence as well as Malaysians, as there should be a “balance” rather than a focus solely on investment.
“Locals need to know about what is in store for them in future development.
“We want the local industry or investors to also benefit. We do not want anyone to be left behind,” he said, adding that it was important for Malaysians to be part of the business ecosystem.
With the JS-SEZ, he said the IRDA would act as a “strategic thinker” and be the link between the state and federal governments.
“This is a huge challenge as we are not just the movers but also the thinkers too,” he said, adding that they appreciate feedback from the public.
Asked about the uncertainties amid trade wars between the United States and other countries, Noorazam downplayed it, saying: “Maybe that is why we are getting a lot more enquiries from investors from those countries, as they know Asean with its 700 million population, is relatively peaceful.”
