Iskandar draws investors’ interests

Iskandar draws investors’ interests


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OSAKA: Japanese investors continue to regard Malaysia as an important investment destination, showing particular interest in southern Johor’s Iskandar Development Region (Iskandar).

Several business and corporate leaders have said this directly to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his five-day working visit to Japan.

In view of their interest in Iskandar, Abdullah wants Khazanah Nasional Bhd, which is driving the project, to come to Japan to promote and explain the dynamic growth region to the Japanese investment community.

"I also took the opportunity (in meetings with Japanese captains of industry) to sell Iskandar. Some said they are prepared to come for a first-hand look and briefing. This is a good sign," he said here today at the end of his visit.

Iskandar is a 2,217 sq km area that sprawls across several districts including Johor Baru, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Pontian and is just across the Causeway from Singapore.
Khazanah Nasional, as the government’s investment agency, is developing it along the lines of the special zone of Shenzhen in China which is adjacent to Hong Kong.

Abdullah said although not many Japanese investors met him on this trip, all who did described Malaysia as an attractive investment destination for them.

"They did not mention China or India at all, they only spoke about Malaysia. They continue to have full confidence in investing in Malaysia," he added.

Abdullah said he encouraged Japanese investors to expand their Malaysian investments into the high technology sector as there was now stiff competition from China and India for basic manufacturing activities.

"It’s better that we align towards state-of-the-art and advanced technologies.

"We can provide the specialist training for our workers and university graduates to meet the specific demands of this sector," he said.

Abdullah also told officials of the Malaysian Embassy in Japan to establish closer rapport with private sector leaders in this country.

"From before, our relations with government leaders have always been close but we want our relationship with the private sector to also rise to this level," he said. — Bernama


Chinese investors keen on Iskandar

JOHOR BARU: Investors from China are increasingly eyeing business opportunities in the Iskandar Development Region,with a flurry of visits by top executives in recent weeks.

Among the list of high-profile foreign players keen to invest in Iskandar is the China Shipping Group.

The company, with a fleet of 123 vessels, is the eighth largest container shipping company in the world. It is looking for new opportunities in the logistics sector.

Senior executives of the company, who were on a fact-finding mission to Iskandar last Thursday, had also expressed interest in real estate development in the region.

Sources said the company was keen to develop large-scale warehousing facilities in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Senai Airport.

Hui Wing-mau, chairman of China-based property developer Shimao Group, who was ranked the ninth richest man in China by Forbes magazine recently, also visited Iskandar last Sunday.

The billionaire was said to have plans to invest in waterfront projects.

Hui, who was personally briefed by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, was reportedly impressed with the size and scope of the development.

Investors from Middle Eastern countries, especially the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, have also been accessing the viability and economic feasibility of Iskandar.