JCorp actively redefining Johor's economic architecture, according to its chief

New Straits Times

29-05-2025

JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Corporation (JCorp) is actively redefining Johor's economic architecture beyond traditional sectors by shaping the next wave of industry platforms, from advanced manufacturing and food tech to digital infrastructure, circular economy systems and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled agriculture.
President and chief executive Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim said that through these, the state government-owned company is building industries and shaping a responsible, future-ready economy.
"JCorp is focused on execution-building ecosystems, enabling capital flows and driving long-term growth aligned with Maju Johor 2030."
"We are not waiting for growth to happen, we are shaping its direction through bold investments, system-level design and long-term execution," he told Bernama in an interview recently.
He said as Johor accelerates into a new economic chapter shaped by global megatrends and catalysed by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), JCorp is strategically placed to function as an enabler of growth and collaboration.
"We are leveraging the JS-SEZ to position Johor as a high-value innovation corridor. With Singapore on our doorstep, Johor has the advantage of proximity and potential, making it ideal for next-generation industries such as electrical and electronics, digital economy, green economy, halal industry, food technology, agritech and renewable energy.
"Our single most strategic initiative within the JS-SEZ, Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), is poised to generate strong multiplier effects, particularly in job creation and business opportunities," he said.
He said IBTEC is designed to support infrastructure development, innovation clusters and platforms in line with sustainability principles and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030.
Syed Mohamed said JCorp is also working closely with agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Invest Johor to streamline investor facilitation and enable regulatory alignment.
He said JS-SEZ provided a foundation for inclusive industrialisation and JCorp is prioritising initiatives that create entry points for local talent and businesses within this framework while also attracting high-impact global players.
"JCorp sees both tracks as essential. We are investing in the growth of Johor-based companies to scale regionally while building the infrastructure and conditions to attract high-impact global players," he said.
He said JCorp's role is to develop industrial ecosystems that allow Johor-based companies to scale by connecting them to international markets as well as enabling infrastructure and collaborative platforms.
Elaborating further, he said these environments are designed not just to host businesses but to help them grow through co-location, shared services and innovation-driven partnerships.
"At the same time, we are curating environments where foreign investors don't simply extract value but contribute meaningfully to the local economy through technology transfer, supplier integration and talent development
"Foreign partnerships matter but scaling local champions is how Johor wins," he said.
Syed Mohamed said JCorp is also actively participating in talent development to ensure an ample supply of workforce.
"Critically, we are ensuring that talent development keeps pace. Johor Skills Development Centre and our partnership with the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) are building a robust talent pipeline through targeted technical education and cross-border industry immersion programmes.
He said Johor Skills is delivering modular programmes focused on sectors such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and data infrastructure.
"In collaboration with Republic Polytechnic and the Institute of Technical Education Singapore, we aim to upskill or reskill 10,000 workers per year by 2027 to support sector-specific workforce readiness in the JS-SEZ," he said.
JS-SEZ is a joint initiative by Malaysia and Singapore to create a dynamic and competitive economic hub in Johor by leveraging synergies between both countries with the aim of attracting investment, enhancing connectivity and fostering inclusive growth through tax incentives, infrastructure development and streamlined business processes.