‘Johor needs higher growth to achieve 2030 vision'
The RTS Link, a rail service between Johor Baru and Singapore, is expected to start on Jan 1, 2027. — Filepic
JOHOR must achieve an average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.36% to reach its target of becoming a developed state by 2030.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said Johor's GDP in 2023 was RM148bil.
He said it needed to grow to RM260bil within the next seven years to meet the Maju Johor 2030 agenda.
'This means Johor cannot afford to continue with a business-as-usual approach.
'We need a bold paradigm shift,' he said in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
He said this was why the state government had set up the Johor Economic Transformation Programme (JETP), Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Forest City Special Financial Zone.
'JETP is a medium and long-term transformation plan to ensure Johor's economic development remains sustainable and inclusive by the year 2030.
'It is a component of the Maju Johor 2030 vision and is aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan that will be tabled by the Federal Government,' he added.
Lee pointed out how JETP supported efforts such as JS-SEZ, thereby forming a strong framework to ensure Johor remained globally competitive.
He said a master plan was being developed with the Federal Government to ensure the zone delivered long-term higher value economic activities, local SME participation and talent development.
'We are committed to ensuring that Johor does not end up as a low-cost satellite for foreign firms. Value must be created here,' he stressed.
Lee also said that JS-SEZ-linked projects included the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit as a feeder to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link that is expected to begin operations on Jan 1, 2027.
He revealed that Johor was working with the Federal Government on a regulatory sandbox model to test new policies in a controlled environment to speed up project implementation.
On global trade risks, Lee warned of the negative effects of tariffs: 'The proposed US tariffs could directly impact Johor-made electronics, semiconductors and furniture.
'These sectors are closely tied to global demand, and any disruption will hit us hard.
'The tariffs could raise production costs, reduce export volumes and shrink profit margins.'
He said Malaysia could end up receiving too many imported goods, especially because global trade routes and suppliers are changing due to factors like trade wars, sanctions and geopolitical shifts.
'We welcome the Federal Government's support to help cushion the impact of global uncertainties.
'From loan guarantees to anti-dumping measures, these steps will protect our industries and SMEs,' said Lee.
Among the steps are RM1bil in loan guarantees under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme, RM500mil in SME financing support, anti-dumping actions against unfair imports, and tighter control over Certificates of Origin for US-bound goods.
Lee revealed that Johor was rapidly rising as a data centre hub, with 42 projects in various stages and 13 already operational.
He also highlighted the Johor Talent Development Council's Job Fair X MyFutureJobs Johor 2025 held at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn in Batu Pahat for jobseekers.
'With a holistic strategy combining infrastructure development, technological innovation and market diversification, Johor is committed to long-term sustainable growth,' he said.
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