Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) as a strategic partner of the state government welcomes the Johor State Budget 2022 themed as ‘Strengthening the Prosperity of Johor’. The state government announced on the 18th of November 2021, to have laid the foundation to support and empower a sustainable ecosystem for businesses, investors and the people of Johor for the year 2022 and moving forward.
Johor Digital Agenda
Datuk Ir. Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President & CEO of IIB in a statement said that the Johor Digital Agenda is one of the most important measures for the people of Johor to enhance their socioeconomic situation.
“We welcome the RM2.3 million investments in the Young Drone Pilot Programme, which will benefit up to 10,000 people.”
The state government has allocated RM2.2mil for the Digital Johor Startup Grant to benefit new businesses of all sizes, such as micro, small and medium businesses in Medini Iskandar Puteri. Up to 100 businesses are estimated to benefit from the said grant in the next two years. The allocation will accelerate the development of a digital and talent development hub in Iskandar Puteri, which will attract high-impact investments and highly skilled talents to Johor. Johor needs an integrated digital ecosystem to connect the government with businesses and consumers to ensure its development can be strategically planned.
Human Capital Development
The state will benefit from the Johor Upskilling & Reskilling Programme, Johor Postgraduate Training, and Johor Skills Oil & Gas. A budget of RM5.2 million has been allotted for 2022 to pursue skill-upgrading projects including the Johor Skilled Manpower Certification.
IIB welcomes the state government’s allocation for talent development and digital technology initiatives in Johor through the Johor Budget 2022. The Human Capital Development Agenda in Iskandar Malaysia continues with the Iskandar Malaysia Employment Grant (IMEG) of RM4 million allocation in accordance with the concept of manpower needs in the main industrial sector.
The JDETT (Johor Digital and Emerging Technology Talent Programme) is an upskilling and reskilling programme designed to help Iskandar Puteri’s technology industry and talent development. IIB, the Federal Government, and the State Government of Johor are all supporting the initiative, which aims to provide high-paying jobs in the digital and emerging technology sectors for Johoreans. It also backs the government’s PENJANA programme, which aims to alleviate the tremendous unemployment brought by the COVID-19 epidemic. Since its inception in 2006, 10,000 employments in five important areas: creative industries, education services, financial and commercial services, healthcare services, and tourism have been created through IIB.
Johor Food Security Guarantee
With an allocation of RM18.9 million encompassing 32 projects, the state government has announced ambitions to make Johor a food centre for domestic, regional, and worldwide markets. Citing the COVID-19 outbreak has caused the state government to be concerned about food security issues.
Green Economy
Johor Green Deal is a comprehensive plan for the growth of the state’s green economy. The state government will intensify efforts to preserve the vitality of the rivers in Johor. Among the initiatives implemented by IIB are mangrove forest conservation and fruit and vegetable planting activities in Edible Park, Medini and beach cleaning.
