A new industrial park called Jemaluang Dairy Valley will be built in Mersing, Johor for the manufacture of fresh dairy products.
The state government-linked business, Johor Corporation (JCorp), according to Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad, has been tasked with identifying strategic partners to invest in the scheme, which is estimated to require a minimum investment of RM100 million.
“The RM100 million minimum investment is based on infrastructure worth RM70 million to be developed by the federal government through the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) for the park.
“We expect site work for the 275.18-hectare project to start in the next one or two months,” he told reporters after officiating United Kotak Bhd 2 groundbreaking ceremony at the SME Industrial Park in Bandar Indahpura.
Hasni hopes that the new investment would allow Johor to develop its own fresh milk products that are comparable to or better than current market offerings such as Farm Fresh, a joint venture between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Holstein Milk Company.
“Besides that, the investment will also produce 20 new satellite farms that will give a wider economic impact beyond Mersing to cover Kota Tinggi and Pasir Gudang as well,” he said.
Despite a lower investment of RM4.67 billion last year compared to RM11.45 billion in 2019, Hasni said there are signs that the Johor economy is recovering.
He cited several indicators to support his optimism, including a financial technology company’s decision to invest in Iskandar Malaysia and Forest City project developer’s involvement in expanding its digital infrastructure at existing project sites to allow the region to become a digital hub.
“These are signs that Johor will continue to be a strategic (destination) and state of choice by various investors.
“Therefore at the state level, we will continue to improve our services because we believe that consistent investment will not only bring benefits to the industry itself but also to Johor’s economy as a whole,” he added.
, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad, has been tasked with identifying strategic partners to invest in the scheme, which is estimated to require a minimum investment of RM100 million.){kind=link}