Bio Desaru project attracts RM2bil investments

KINIBIZ ONLINE, 21 OCTOBER 2013

The 3,642.17-hectare Bio Desaru Organic Food Valley project at Desaru — the first big-scale organic food farm in the country — has attracted RM2 billion in local and foreign investments since its establishments in 2009.

Chief Executive Officer of Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corp (J-BioTech), Wan Amir Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid, said the investments had so far contributed RM1.6 billion to the gross national income and created 4,000 jobs.

“There are a lot of Malaysian companies operating and collaborating with foreign partners in Bio Desaru.

“We have a marine hatchery project by a Thai company, livestock, poultry, herbal farming, acquaculture and intergrated organic farming,” he said.

He said this at a media briefing after the launch of BioMalaysia & Bio Economy Asia-Pacific 2013 conference and exhibition by Johor Menteri Besar, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, here today.

J-Biotech, is a state agency responsible for spearheading Johor’s push to become the main biotech player in the country. Wan Amir Jeffery said J-Biotech would intensify its efforts to attract more local and foreign biotech companies to invest in the state.

“The agency is in the midst of formulating its key performance indices in terms of its targeted investments, realised investments and revenue and employment generations. It is expected to finalised them by next year.

Earlier, Mohamed Khaled said the state government was undertaking many initiatives to create a conducive ecosystem for the development of Johor’s bioeconomy.

He said Johor’s drive in the biotech sector has moved from its early emphasis on bio agriculture to bio industry and bio medical.

“Johor has the potentials to become the southern region’s main driver in the nation’s biotech ventures,” he said.