KULAI: The Johor Tech Smart City is expected to create some 10,000 job opportunities, says caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said the landmark development, located within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), marks a significant milestone in Johor's efforts to become a developed state.
"Once the project is completed, it will require a workforce of 10,000 and to facilitate that, we have the Johor Talent Development Council.
"This is where all federal and state agencies, universities, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions come together to ensure that talent is not a problem in Johor," he said in his speech during the launch of the smart city on Friday (June 12).
He said the project, developed by Genting Property, is expected to create job opportunities in various fields, especially artificial intelligence (AI), smart agriculture and research.
Onn Hafiz said he hopes the spillover effects of the project will also benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Through the ecosystem that you are building here in Johor, you must ensure that SMEs in Johor prosper as companies from China enter.
"While welcoming Chinese companies to Johor as well as friends from Singapore, our SMEs cannot be left out," he said.
The project spans 930.8ha (2,300 acres) and integrates an AgTech Campus and a Knowledge AI Campus into a comprehensive ecosystem focused on future technologies, artificial intelligence and food security.
Onn Hafiz said the high-impact development is in line with the Maju Johor 2030 agenda, which aims to position Johor as a leading hub for investment, technology, innovation and talent development in the region.
He also expressed his hope for Johoreans to give their fullest support to the state government.
"We are only at phase one of where we want to go.
"Whether we enter phase two or achieve the great vision that we have will depend on what Johoreans decide in the weeks to come," he said, referencing the upcoming 16th state election set for July 11.
