France Eyes Investments In Iskandar Malaysia

JOHOR BAHRU (Johor, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- The French Business Confederation (MEDEF) is optimistic of investment opportunities in the vibrant economic zone of Iskandar Malaysia, the main southern development corridor in Malaysia's southern state Johor. MEDEF International Chairman Pierre Gattaz said Iskandar Malaysia's 20-year vision could serve as a strategic location for French companies to establish their base in Asia. "Iskandar Malaysia would need infrastructure such as schools, water and energy system, transportation and waste structure, and France can offer these facilities. "Bringing our expertise would help create job opportunities for the locals here and we look forward to be part of the development by introducing our best technologies," said Pierre in a statement here Thursday. He added that most French companies had many Asian clients and they would be inspired to scout for a strategic location to set up a company nearer to their clients. Meanwhile, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Chief Executive Ismail Ibrahim said Iskandar Malaysia would continue to welcome foreign investments aligned to its nine promoted economic sectors and provide participants with greater understanding of the development. On Feb 23, IRDA hosted a delegation from Medef, France's largest employer and business federation representing all French multinationals, aimed at exploring business and investment potential in the southern economic development corridor. "French companies have the opportunity to identify industrial sites in Iskandar as potential locations for their business expansion and to set up a regional base, thus providing a spill-over effect on the economy," he added. The delegation (on Feb 23) was led by Gattaz and accompanied by the Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of France in Malaysia Arnaud Boulanger, and top executives from more than 30 French multinational companies. --BERNAMA