Kandungan Jurnal
O&G sector and tourism have good potential growth, says GM
 | DESARU: Southeast Johor Development Authority (Kejora) has submitted its proposed development plan for the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to the Federal Government. General manager Azizan Md Rais said: “We are asking for a RM330mil development budget from the Federal Government under the 10MP from 2011 until 2015.’’ Kejora would spend the bulk of the allocation for infrastructure and related development projects in Johor’s south-east area, he told StarBiz. Azizan said the area would benefit from the economic spillover effects from the upcoming oil and gas (O&G) hub in Teluk Ramunia and Pengerang covering 1,200ha in south-east Johor. Two companies from Qatar and Iran have decided to invest RM16bil and RM30bil respectively to set up their operations in the area and are expected to put up their facilities there before 2013. |
| »With Khazanah playing a prominent role in the tourism sector here, we believe both local and foreign investors will be keen to invest in Desaru« AZIZAN MD RAIS |
The hub will have facilities for processing, refinery, storage, fabrication, bunkering, shipyard and marine related industries. “We are planning to open more industrial areas as the O&G hub will require support industries and services especially from the small and medium enterprises,” Azizan said.
Apart from the O&G sector, tourism was another sector with good potential growth as Johor’s south-east area offered a wide range of tourism products and activities, he said.
These included 27km of sandy beaches in Desaru, river cruise, historical sites, jungle trekking, extreme sports, windsurfing, mountain climbing and homestay at Felda settlements.
Desaru was a popular holiday destination in the early 1970s and mid-1980s, but lost its appeal with the emergence of other tourist destinations in Malaysia and the region.
Azizan said Khazanah Nasional Bhd planned to turn Desaru into what Nusa Dua in Bali was now - an enclave of large international resorts.
Khazanah’s blueprint for Desaru would include two international hotels, a world class golf resort, a theme park and a convention centre.
“With Khazanah playing a prominent role in the tourism sector here, we believe both local and foreign investors will be keen to invest in Desaru,” said Azizan.
He said Khazanah should consider attracting an investor to set up a factory outlet in Desaru offering international branded items at discounted prices like the upcoming Malaysia Premium Outlet (MPO) in Kulaijaya by the US-based Simon Property Group.
Azizan said while the MPO catered for day trippers, the Desaru outlet could target local and foreign tourists staying in Desaru’s hotels.
Desaru, Teluk Rumania and Pengerang are located in Kota Tinggi, which is the largest district in Johor with a land area of 3,488 sq km, compared with Iskandar Malaysia’s 2,217 sq km.
Sumber : The Star Online
