Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said second finance minister Amir Hamzah Azizan is expected to grace the event and explain the significance of the SFZ.

“Packages and incentives will be offered to insurance finance companies and others,” he told a press conference after officiating Sunbeam Splash 2.0 at the Austin International Convention Centre here today.

On Aug 25 last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the formation of SFZ in Forest City and incentives to boost Johor’s economic activities and surrounding areas.

Regarding Johor’s export performance, Lee said that petrochemicals, chemicals, electrical and electronics (E&E), and non-metallic materials were major contributors to the RM5.2 billion in exports recorded in July.

“The petrochemical and chemical sector was among the contributors. We have industrial areas such as Pengerang, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat.

“Meanwhile, the E&E sector involves semiconductors and non-metallic materials which also contribute to the basic manufacturing materials for other sectors,” he said.

Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin reportedly said Johor, Selangor and Penang together accounted for 70.6% of the country’s total exports in July.

July exports reached RM131.1 billion, a 12.3% or RM14.4 billion increase from the previous year, driven by growth in Johor (+RM5.2 billion), Selangor (+RM2.3 billion), Penang (+RM1.9 billion), Sarawak (+RM1.8 billion) and Kuala Lumpur (+RM1.3 billion).