KULAI: The Kulai Fast Lane initiative, which has proven to be a big success in facilitating investments in Johor, will be expanded under the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre (IMFC), says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He added 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 bring about ease of doing business in Johor. Through IMFC, we intend to cut out all of the red tape to shorten the time for investors to start their operation,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said this in his speech before officiating the Mercedes-Benz regional logistics centre at Senai Airport City, yesterday.
He added the state government was committed to facilitating investments in Johor through the Kulai Fast Lane initiative which would be expanded under IMFC.
He said the Kulai Fast Lane had facilitated the entry of more than 38 investments worth RM52bil into Kulai, including the one from Mercedes-Benz worth RM1.5bil.
The Kulai Fast Lane initiative was introduced by the Kulai Municipal Council in 2022.
It was introduced to speed 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 licenses for foreign investors by reducing bureaucratic red tape.
“Starting from the investment agreement to the opening ceremony of this logistics centre, it only took 23 months compared with previously, when it would have taken longer,” Onn Hafiz said.
The mentri besar said Mercedes-Benz’s decision to invest in Johor proved the state’s attractiveness as a strategic and high-value investment destination at the global level.
Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, said the state was on the verge of entering a new era soon with the signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement.
He added the federal government sees Johor as the next economic engine for Malaysia, since the state has the good infrastructures including seaports and airports.
“The JS-SEZ signing will take place during the annual Malaysia-Singapore leaders retreat on Dec 8-9, which tentatively is expected to be held in Putrajaya,” he added.
He said the matter was discussed during a meeting of the special joint ministerial committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held in a hotel in Johor Baru yesterday morning.
The meeting was attended by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Singapore’s National Development Minister Desmond Lee and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.
Onn Hafiz said the JMCIM meeting went well and there was a good understanding between Malaysia and Singapore.
“There is a consensus from both sides to collaborate and work together for the benefit of Malaysia, Johor and Singapore,” he said, adding that more details about the signing of the JS-SEZ agreement would be shared in the coming weeks.