Saifuddin (left) engaging with stakeholders during a buka puasa event in Iskandar Puteri.
JOHOR’S close proximity to Singapore continues to make it an attractive destination to investors.
Johor Economic, Tourism and Culture Office (Jetco) chief executive officer Saifuddin Abdul Rahim said it had been engaging in efforts to attract investors into the state since it started operating in Singapore last year.
“We have been seeing a trend where companies with main or regional offices in Singapore chose to expand or set up their manufacturing facilities in Johor.
“Apart from logistics, Johor’s ample land, cheaper operational costs and attractive exchange rate have also made the state an ideal destination,” he added.
Saifuddin said that aside from Singaporean companies, Jetco had also assisted European and North American companies operating in the island republic.
“Jetco’s presence at The Centrepoint in Orchard Road also makes it easier for investors to approach us and for us to assist them,” he said after a Ramadan event organised by Jetco in Puteri Harbour.
Most of the enquiries, he said, were related to suitable locations, government incentives and how to get workers if they set up shop in Johor.
Jetco would then direct them to the relevant authorities to facilitate the matter, he added.
Saifuddin also said the state’s industrial parks were popular among investors as they were usually equipped with security posts and other facilities.
Jetco was established in late 2020 but only started operating in 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The office participated in three trade and tourism exhibitions throughout last year and built a strong network of industry players to position Johor as an attractive economic and tourism destination, said Saifuddin.
“We also held discussions with 15 agencies in Singapore including government departments, chambers of commerce and the media.
“We hope to become a one-stop information centre on economic, tourism and cultural matters to relevant agencies in Singapore,” he said.
