Johor’s manufacturing sector recorded an investment value of RM2.237 billion from January to March this year.

State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the value of investments in the services sector for the same period was RM23 million.

“This value shows an increased rate of almost 30% when compared to the value of investments received for the same period last year, which was RM1.705 billion for the manufacturing sector.

“However, the services sector for the same period last year recorded RM39 million,” he said when wrapping up the debate on the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s decree at the Johor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Thursday (June 23).

He said the statistics showed a positive trend and showed the continuous efforts of the government, led by former Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, which has provided a solid foundation for the government today to redouble its efforts to attract investments to Johor.

Lee said Johor has an advantage in terms of the economic sector as the state has an investment ecosystem, including the manufacturing, services and key sectors, and political stability, which are taken seriously by investors as these are related to government policy.

“Johor has a large-scale oil and gas development in Pengerang, which has created a supply chain related to the industry, including the development of a petrochemical-based industry, and also Tanjung Langsat in Pasir Gudang.

“As for the digital sector, we are actively attracting data centre investments to the state so that the supply chain can be established later after the development of basic infrastructure, and we will also work towards improving digital services,” he said.

He added that the state government has also strengthened the economy in areas outside Iskandar Malaysia with the implementation of catalyst projects such as Taman Perabot Muar, Maharani Energy Gateway, Pagoh Education Hub, Segamat Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Hub, and the Kluang Creative Economy Hub.

• The Edge Markets