Prepared by: AP. Dr. Rossilah Jamil

Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) academic staff, Dr. Mohd. Effandi Mohd Yusoff has been awarded by the Johor State Government to lead a consultancy project worth RM500,000 to prepare the Johor Investment Master Plan 2020 – 2030.

The Master Plan is part of the Johor State Government’s aim to create a resilient ecosystem based on advanced technologies, high impact investments, and halal industry to propel the state towards an advanced economy. Once completed, the Master Plan will serve as the key reference in designing investment strategies and initiatives in Johor for the next ten years. 

According to Dr. Effandi, “the Covid-19 pandemic has presented major economic challenges. Attracting foreign investments will be difficult. Therefore, aggressive economic strategies that consider foreign and local investments need to be in place to develop Johor in the post-pandemic period”.  The project will involve engagement with key stakeholders and economic players to identify investment trends, restructuring of economic activities, and recommendations to strengthen the state’s investment machinery. 

Dr. Effandi holds a PhD in Commercialisation from the University of Nottingham Trent. His academic works concentrate on the areas of Islamic banking and finance, fintech, and commercialization. This project is his latest feat in securing grants from the Johor State Government after previously completed a policy research worth RM1.2 million on Johor Sustainable Development Plan 2030.