Its minister Rafizi Ramli said several measures would be taken, including the strengthening of the local supply chain to ensure that local firms benefit from the entry of foreign investments.

He said the next measure was capacity-building and technology transfer through foreign companies investing in the special economic zone.

“Local companies will gain access to capacity-building programmes and the transfer of technology brought in by foreign investment companies.

“This will benefit supporting industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

Rafizi also said the Johor Talent Development Council had been formed to formulate training programmes to meet the demand for quality local workers in the JS-SEZ area.

“This initiative will reduce the dependence on foreign labour where foreign firms hire high-skilled locals to work in their companies, with suitable salaries,” he added.

He said local firms would also stand the chance to obtain supporting and matching grants as well as other funds prepared by the relevant ministries and agencies involved in spurring economic activity in the JS-SEZ.

This includes grants under Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s mid-tier company programme, for which RM1 billion has been allocated, and RM3.8 billion in digital matching grants and SME financing by Bank Negara Malaysia, among others.

“Only local companies can apply for all of these grants and funds. It is not being offered to international investors and multinational companies,” he said.

Rafizi was responding to Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), who asked the minister to guarantee that local investors and companies would not be sidelined or neglected amid the entrance of “mega foreign investors” in the JS-SEZ.