JOHOR BARU: The state's biotechnology sector through Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corporation (J-Biotech) is targeting RM500 million worth of investment for this year.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was an increase with the secured investments the J-Biotech received last year.
"I am pleased to inform you that in 2014, J-Biotech secured RM37.5 million biotechnology and bio-based investments in the bio industrial sector and (it) is targeting RM500 million worth of investment in 2015.
"This will indeed spur economic benefits through the creation of new jobs and thus creating the need for industry ready talents," he said at the Majlis Professor Negara, Industrial and Innovation Forum on Biotechnology Industry at Pulai Springs Resort, here today.
Khaled said the investment in biotechnology must be complemented with 'pull factors' such as skilled human capital to attract more investment in the future.
"It is not enough to produce students with qualification in these fields. We must have a pool of human capital. That is why we had set up the Johor Bio Talent initiative to address this challenge," he said.