Latest news with #InvestJohor
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Banking on youth for JS-SEZ's future
Wong (right) receiving a certificate of achievement from event organising chairman Hue Jia Hao (left) as Tang looks on during the youth forum in Kulai. THE strong lure of the Singapore dollar is continuing to draw youths across the border for job opportunities. Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor Wong Foong Yee said many fresh graduates and young professionals still chose to work in Singapore due to the attractive currency exchange. To address the concern, Johor government implemented several strategies to encourage youth participation in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Invest Johor offers grants to help young entrepreneurs start their businesses while Johor Talent Development Council is providing high skill training and offering premium salaries to retain talent. 'The state government is also working with local universities to align academic programmes with industry needs, especially in sectors expected to grow under the JS-SEZ such as artificial intelligence, data centres and green technology,' she said after attending a youth forum organised by JCI South Key in Kulai. She added that under the leadership of Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the state government was taking steps to strengthen the local ecosystem to support youth involvement in the JS-SEZ. She said state officials remained optimistic that long-term investments in youth development and support systems would gradually bring them back to the state. 'The future of the JS-SEZ depends on local talent. 'If we want sustainable growth, we need our youth to be part of it,' she said. JCI South Key president Tang Mei Ay said programmes such as the upcoming Green-Preneur Festival and Jom ESG Seminar were designed to support the state's 'Maju Johor' agenda. 'We also want the youth to benefit from exposure and opportunities that are available through the JS-SEZ.' Tang added that Johor youth must begin shifting their mindset and step out of their comfort zone to take part in international collaborations.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor CoE's establishment to create 300 high-skilled jobs ss
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor is set to boost its digital economy through a strategic partnership with NEOJAPAN Inc, a leading global technology company. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the collaboration followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state government via Invest Johor and NEOJAPAN at the Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025 recently. "This meeting paves the way for strategic cooperation between Johor and NEOJAPAN, which is expanding its operations in Southeast Asia through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Johor, to strengthen the state's digital economy and technological transformation," he said in a Facebook post today. Onn hafiz said the initiative was aimed at enhancing the state's digital capabilities and accelerating its technological transformation. "The collaboration is expected to create up to 300 high-skilled jobs, with a starting salary of RM4,000 for fresh graduates. "At the same time, more than 1,000 local graduates will be trained over the next five years, through collaborations with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s Faculty of Computing and the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) as key talent providers," he added. Onn Hafiz said he was confident such strategic partnerships would further strengthen Johor's position as a progressive state ready to face future economic challenges. NEOJAPAN, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's main board and boasts over 32 years of experience in software development. The company currently operates in Japan, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, with more than 5.5 million customers worldwide.
Barnama
25-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Invest Johor-NEOJAPAN Tie-up Set To Create 300 High-skilled Jobs -- Onn Hafiz
JOHOR BAHRU, June 25 (Bernama) -- The collaboration between the Johor state government via Invest Johor and Japanese technology company NeoJapan Inc, signed recently, is expected to create up to 300 highly skilled job opportunities, with a starting salary of RM4,000 for new graduates. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that the collaboration, as outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed during the recent Nikkei Forum Medini, would also continue to empower Johor as a progressive state, one well-equipped to meet future economic challenges. 'Meanwhile, more than 1,000 local graduates will be trained over a five-year period, as a result of collaboration with the Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology as the main talent providers,' he said in a post on his Facebook page today.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Japan to aid Johor's rapid economic development
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is ready to support Johor in easing traffic congestion as the state prepares for rapid economic development, says Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata. He said that addressing congestion was essential for the state as it anticipates significant economic growth with the rapid progress of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Japan is eager to collaborate with Johor by offering cutting-edge solutions, including smart transportation systems and quality infrastructure development. 'By employing Japan's artificial intelligence-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, we aim to support Johor in overcoming serious traffic congestion,' he said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum. He said that traffic jams not only hamper economic activities, but also waste energy, harm the environment and increase the risk of accidents. 'We hope to cooperate with Johor in becoming a model smart city for transportation solutions, not only in Kuala Lumpur or Johor, but also other megacities in Asean and beyond that are facing traffic congestion issues,' he said. He said the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit system, are key to improving public transportation in Johor. On another matter, Shikata also noted that there have been extensive discussions on new green investments in Malaysia, which have resulted in concrete expressions of interest. 'Johor is also emerging as a vital hub for data centres, and these facilities require substantial energy for cooling, presenting a significant environmental challenge. 'In this regard, Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient solution. 'By adapting this technology, data centres in Johor can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce their environmental impact and enhance operational performance,' he said. Meanwhile, Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris said Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments. He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, are already in place in Johor. 'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry. 'And on the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor. 'We already have many things to offer. Now it's a matter of ramping up promotion,' he said when met on the sidelines of the forum here in Medini. He said Invest Johor is focusing its efforts on real projects and partnerships that showcase ongoing progress on the ground. 'These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are already being implemented. 'We have strong case studies to highlight, particularly in Kulai under the Kulai Fastlane, and now with the rollout of the Johor Superlane,' he added. Natazha said the two-day forum here was a good platform for Japanese investors to learn more about what the state has to offer. 'Japanese companies already have a presence in Johor even before the forum. 'Now, interest is growing stronger as Japanese companies have more clarity about what Johor has to offer, on top of the ecosystem already in place. This helps us tell our story to a wider audience, especially with the added leverage from the JS-SEZ,' he said. During the closing ceremony here, Invest Johor also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yokohama-based listed technology company NEOJAPAN Inc. Natazha said the MoU marks the start of a strategic collaboration to establish the South-East Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) within the JS-SEZ. 'Through this initiative, Johor aims to position itself as a leading Asean hub for digital transformation by promoting the JS-SEZ as a base for cutting-edge innovation and talent development. 'As part of the effort, the SEA CoE is expected to train over 1,000 local talents in cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support, and no-code development, while creating 300 high-skilled jobs in the region,' he said.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor forges strategic pact with Japanese tech firm to build Asean digital talent hub
ISKANDAR PUTER: The Johor government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19). The MoU, inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be established in the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japanese Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talent in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development. The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said. "By fostering innovation, talent development and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy." NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT. The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry's regional strategies.
