(KUALA LUMPUR) In a move set to ignite Johor's industrial landscape, Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd (IWH) and PLS Plantations Bhd, both associated with tycoon Tan Sri Lim Kang Ho, are engaging in discussions with a China state-owned enterprise to establish an expansive industrial park and innovation hub in Johor.
The collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with Shenzhen Shenyue Joint Investment Co Ltd (SSJI), a Shenzhen provincial government-owned entity, outlines plans for the development of a 1,000-acre Johor-Shenzhen Industrial Park in Ulu Sedili, along with a 50-acre Johor-Shenzhen Innovation Development Hub in Johor Bahru, as revealed in a statement by IWH.
Described as an ambitious venture, the proposed industrial park, spanning an area akin to 1,000 football fields, aims to emerge as one of Johor's largest purpose-built, fully integrated industrial zones. It will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including office spaces, production units, and ancillary services, fostering industrial growth and fostering collaboration among enterprises.
Complementing this initiative is the Johor-Shenzhen Innovation Development Hub, slated to be established within Johor Bahru's central business district. This hub will serve as a focal point for innovative activities, research, and development endeavours, bolstering Johor's standing as a hub for technological advancement and creativity.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the collaboration, Lim Kang Ho, representing both IWH and PLS Plantations, emphasized that these projects will capitalize on Johor's burgeoning industrial landscape, catalyzed by initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ) and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).
With PLS Plantations owning the land earmarked for the developments, IWH noted that SSJI's parent company, Shenzhen Investment Holding Co Ltd, boasts a track record of developing 50 industrial parks spanning 8,000 acres in Shenzhen.
Lim expressed confidence that these projects will serve as catalysts for economic growth in Johor, attracting both local and international businesses keen on leveraging the region's potential.
Backed by the Johor state government, which holds a 37% stake in IWH through Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ), IWH stands as a prominent player in Iskandar Malaysia's development landscape, boasting a vast land bank exceeding 4,200 acres, including prime waterfront real estate in Johor Bahru.