One-stop hub to expedite JS-SEZ investments
18 Feb 2025
OVER 10 federal and state agencies will be placed under Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre (IMFC) Johor office to help turn the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) into a regional investment hub.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said renovations of the IMFC Johor office at Forest City, Iskandar Puteri, was completed with the centre starting operations on Feb 12.
The Paloh assemblyman added that IMFC Johor would facilitate investments and assist businesses wanting to establish or expand their operations within JS-SEZ.
“IMFC Johor will be a one-stop centre to help investors and companies.
“All matters related to investment incentives, business approvals and operational support will be managed efficiently.
“There will be strategic coordination among agencies as IMFC Johor will be working closely with Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), Invest Johor, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry,” he added.
“The IMFC office will also be working with relevant authorities to enable efficient planning and implementation of policies that support JS-SEZ growth.”
Lee also said Irda, together with Invest Johor and Mida, would be the three main anchor agencies at IMFC Johor.
He said other agencies including local authorities such as Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) and Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) would have a presence there too.
“Federal agencies like Customs Department and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and utilities provider such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Ranhill SAJ will be invited.”
Lee added that IMFC Johor would be using existing staff from Irda, Mida and Invest Johor in its daily operations.
With an increasingly robust business infrastructure, efficient administrative system and attractive incentives offered through JS-SEZ, he said IMFC Johor would help attract high-quality investments into the state.
This would generate more job opportunities and boost the local economy.
Lee expects IMFC Johor to further strengthen economic relations between Johor and Singapore.
“JS-SEZ will offer special incentives and facilities to companies from both countries.
“IMFC Johor will play a role in ensuring smooth business operations across borders, speeding up the company registration process and providing advisory services to international investors.”
With IMFC Johor operational, Lee said the state government was confident that JS-SEZ would be a catalyst for Johor’s economic transformation.
“IMFC Johor will bring more investment in strategic sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics as well as the digital economy.
“Together, we will realise the vision of making Johor the main investment hub in the region.”
Last November, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the Kulai Fast Lane initiative, which had proven to be a big success in facilitating investments in the state, would be expanded under the IMFC.
He added that both state and federal agencies would be placed under one roof at IMFC, making it easier for investors to set up business operation in the state.
“This will ease doing business in Johor.
“Through IMFC, we intend to cut all the red tape to shorten time for investors to start operations,” Onn Hafiz had said.
The fast lane initiative was introduced by Kulai Municipal Council in 2022 to reduce red tape.
It is aimed at speeding up the process of obtaining physical development applications in the district by expediting approval process for construction permits, such as Certificate of Completion and Compliance and operating licences for foreign investors.
Source: The Star
