Iskandar Malaysia Appreciates Johor Budget 2020, Intensifies Plans To Complement The Prosperous Agenda For Johor
Iskandar Malaysia, 18 November
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)appreciates Budget Johor 2022 and will intensify its plans to complement the prosperity agenda for Johor.
According to the Chief Executive of IRDA, YBhg. Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, “The development of Iskandar Malaysia has always been approached holistically covering the economy, social and environment.”
“This, and its inclusivity agenda that touches the various group of Rakyat, clearly matches the goals and the ‘Memperhebat Kesejahteraan Johor’ theme for Budget Johor 2022. It is only natural for us to take up this challenge next year by expanding and accelerating our planned projects and programmes to meet the needs.”
As an economic region, first and foremost, the 4th new economic impetus of ‘Renewing Investment and Green Economy Ecosystem’ will provide a much-needed boost to rebuild confidence and encourage investment into Iskandar Malaysia.
Specifically on green economy investments, recognition of the Iskandar Malaysia Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2019, a joint report by IRDA and the 5 local authorities in the region – MBJB, MBIP, MBPG, MPKu and MPPn plus the newly announced ‘Johor Green Deal’ roadmap will further spur awareness and interest of the growing number of investors who are driven by environmentally friendly business operations.
Iskandar Malaysia is particularly enthusiastic abouts the announcement to enhance Johor’s food supply security. With modern farming as the newly announced promoted sector in the region, the RM34 million budget for agriculture and agro-based programme provided to Johor by the Ministry of Finance and the creation of ‘Dasar Agropemakanan Negeri Johor’ will become the catalyst to quickly kick-off modern farming initiatives.
“In fact, since we announced about the modern farming promoted sectors, we have had several engagements with relevant and interested stakeholders from local and foreign agencies and companies on implementing and delivering the project. We should see something emerging on the ground in 2022,” said Datuk Ismail.
Tourism, being one of the promoted sectors in Iskandar Malaysia, will also get a boost from the Majestic Johor agenda. Special incentives for tourism industry players and sector stimulus plus upgrading of tourism infrastructure and marketing activities are seen as reinforcing the reopening and recovery offers by hotels, malls, theme parks and event medical centres in the region.
Under the expanding digitalization in Johor impetus, Iskandar Malaysia believe that its on-going Iskandar Malaysia Urban Observatory (IMUO) project will benefit, and also contribute, to the Digital Johor Masterplan with its 5 main pillars of Infrastructure; Emerging Technology and Digital; Digital Government, Industry and Economy; Digital Talent and Digital Rakyat.
While the economy remains as the key driver for Johor Budget 2022, especially to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, social development has also taken a big chunk of the limelight.
Under the budget, implementation strategies that will directly impact the Rakyat include ‘Agenda Digital Johor’, ‘Johor Niaga’, ‘Prasarana Johor’, ‘Masyarakat Desa Johor, ‘Orang Muda Johor’, ‘Johor Madani’ and ‘Johor Prihatin’.
“Whether it is about building infrastructure and facilities, empowering the youth, funding entrepreneurs and SMEs, rejuvenating villages or helping the less fortunate, major inclusion of these programmes and initiatives in the budget speak volumes of Johor government’s intention to ensure that Johorean continue to live in prosperity,” said Ismail.
Iskandar Malaysia has already embarked on such programmes and initiatives under its social framework. Grants, reskilling and upskilling, and capacity programmes under its SECURE@IskandarMalaysia initiative have already benefited around 4,500 this year alone and similar programmes are in the pipeline for 2022.
With projects such as the Iskandar Rapid Transit (IRT), Sg Segget Landscape and Upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Regional Hub @ Iskandar continuing or starting in 2022, Ismail believe that Iskandar Malaysia will continue to provide spillover benefits to the people in the region and subsequently to the people in Johor.
“We have various projects, programmes and initiatives that already meet the strategies and aim of Budget Johor 2022. However, more importantly, we are upbeat about the opportunities and is taking a proactive approach to quickly realise these for the benefit of Iskandar Malaysia and the state of Johor”, ended Ismail.
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