This photo taken on May 4, 2018 shows the skyline of the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru as seen from neighbouring Singapore.
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor state government will establish an investment company in Singapore to improve trade links between both sides, Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad said on Thursday (May 14).
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Hasni said the state-owned company, called the Johor Investment Company (JICO), will be setting up an office in Singapore soon.
Mr Hasni highlighted that working in the office will benefit the state’s civil servants as it gives them an opportunity to “experience working in an international environment”.
He added that this would enhance the potential of Johor in attracting investment.
Mr Hasni, who is also the Benut state assemblyman, said the state government has informed the federal government of its plan to establish JICO in Singapore.
He said that the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, the International Trade and Industry Ministry as well as the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore have also been notified.
During the same press conference, Mr Hasni highlighted that the state government will review the previous Singapore-Johor-Indonesia (Sijori) growth triangle cooperation.
He said that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has supported the decision and that the Johor state government will meet representatives from Singapore and Indonesia after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations to discuss the matter.
Sijori was established in 1994 when Johor was under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.
It was established between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, to strengthen economic links between the three countries.
The cooperation aims to link logistics, transportation and financial strengths of Singapore with the natural and labour resources of both Johor and the Riau province.
