Latest news with #NatazhaHarris
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor forges strategic pact with Japan's NEOJAPAN to build Asean digital talent hub
jashadiqe@ ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor state government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19). The MoU inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be establish within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japan's Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talents in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development. The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said. "By fostering innovation, talent development, and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy." NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT. The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry's regional strategies.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor forges strategic pact with Japanese tech firm to build Asean digital talent hub
ISKANDAR PUTER: The Johor government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19). The MoU, inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be established in the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japanese Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talent in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development. The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said. "By fostering innovation, talent development and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy." NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT. The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry's regional strategies.
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor-Singapore Economic Zone draws billions as Malaysia eyes high-value growth
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is rapidly gaining traction as global investors bet on Johor's strategic location and policy stability to anchor their expansion into Southeast Asia. Speaking at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris said the agency had received over 400 investment enquiries from multinational companies since the zone's formal establishment in January. "Regardless of global headwinds, Johor is seen as a pocket of stability and a strong business hub," Natazha said, adding Malaysia offers peace, stability, resilience and real opportunities. He was referring to the escalating geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics, with tariffs imposed by U.S president Donald Trump. The JS-SEZ, a joint initiative between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, spans 3,571 sq km, nearly five times the size of Singapore. It aims to catalyse bilateral integration and position southern Malaysia as a high-value investment gateway to Asean. The momentum is already visible. According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Johor pulled in RM48.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024 -a 13 per cent increase from the year before. MIDA deputy chief executive officer Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja said in just the first quarter of 2025, FDI into Johor stood at RM27.4 billion, driven by the services and manufacturing sectors. "With facilitation measures in place, Malaysia is well-positioned to attract quality investments," he said. Meanwhile, Iskandar Investment Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim, said Malaysia does not view Singapore as a competitor, but a strategic partner in a "natural symbiotic relationship." "We are not 'taking' companies from Singapore," he said. "We are working with Singaporean firms and authorities to draw multinationals to the region. "Johor offers up to 60 per cent cost savings compared to Singapore, and about 30 per cent compared to Kuala Lumpur," Idzham said. He added that the JS-SEZ's vision is not merely to be a low-cost extension of Singapore, but to drive high-value growth. Malaysia is targeting 100 strategic investment projects and 20,000 skilled jobs over the next decade. Proposed incentives include a 5 per cent corporate tax rate for 15 years on new manufacturing investments, and a 15 per cent income tax for knowledge workers. Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive officer Datuk Noorazam Osman, said almost 300,000 Johoreans cross into Singapore daily for higher wages. "This time, we are tightening bilateral coordination and adopting sector-specific approaches." The JS-SEZ is prioritising digital economy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and green energy. "The area enjoyed a spike in data centre investments, with tech majors including ByteDance, Microsoft, and Japan's telecommunication company- Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation announcing major expansion plans. The two-day forum co-organised by IIB and Japan's Nikkei Inc. concludes today. The event was hosted by the Johor state government with support from Invest Johor, the Johor Economic Planning Division and the Iskandar Puteri City Council. It is part of ongoing efforts to anchor Johor as a regional innovation hub, supporting the JS-SEZ's vision of deeper cross-border integration with Singapore.
The Star
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Johor fully equipped to receive more Japanese investment, says Invest Johor CEO
JOHOR BARU: Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments into the state, says Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris. He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, were already in place in Johor. 'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry. 'And for the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFCJ). 'We already have many things to offer. Now it's a matter of ramping up promotion,' he said when met on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum in Medini on Thursday (June 19). He said Invest Johor was focusing its efforts on real projects and partnerships that showcase ongoing progress on the ground. 'These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are already being implemented. 'We have strong case studies to highlight, particularly in Kulai under the Kulai Fastlane, and now with the rollout of the Johor Superlane,' he added. Natazha said the two-day forum here was a good way for Japanese investors to know what the state has to offer. "Japanese companies already have a presence in Johor even before the forum. 'Now, interest is growing stronger as Japanese companies have more clarity about what Johor has to offer, on top of the ecosystem already in place. 'This helps us tell our story to a wider audience, especially with the added leverage from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),' he said.
Nikkei Asia
2 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Trump tariffs fuel interest in Malaysia's economic zone with Singapore
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia -- A new special economic zone in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, which borders Singapore, is gaining traction as the two neighbors pursue deeper economic integration amid global uncertainty, according to business leaders and policymakers who spoke at a conference in Johor. Speaking at the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025, which began Wednesday, Natazha Harris, CEO of Invest Johor, the state's investment promotion agency, said it has received over 400 investment inquiries from around the world since the official signing this year.
