Tag: OKU

JS-SEZ: Johor’s rural communities will produce AI, digital literate workforce

JOHOR BAHRU: The implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will see a drastic transformation of the rural landscape in the state through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and a macro-scale digital economy starting from the grassroots level. This strategic move is to ensure that economic spillover from the international special zone is not only concentrated in urban areas, but also empowers rural communities as a competitive value chain. Pekan Nanas State Assemblyman (ADUN) Tan Eng Meng said domestic preparations need to start now as several rural and suburban areas in Pontian are now within the impact perimeter of the mega economic corridor. He said, for example, Pekan Nanas, traditionally an agricultural area, is now experiencing a rapid transition to a sector based on industry, logistics and high-tech services. "The geographical location close to rapidly developing hubs such as Iskandar Puteri and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) places this rural area as a critical spillover zone. "Therefore, the local market, including rural small and medium-sized industry (SME) players, is being driven aggressively to apply the digital economy through collaboration with Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn Bhd (PUJB) , " he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama Radio for the Johor Tersohor segment, yesterday. Commenting on the modernisation of the agro-food sector, Tan said the automation and agricultural technology (Agrotech) agenda is now being streamlined to ensure that traditional farmers are able to integrate with the JS-SEZ supply chain standards without experiencing technological shock. Apart from the economic sector, the surge in highly skilled human capital has also begun at the primary school level through collaboration with the Pontian District Education Office (PPD) to expose students to the AI ​​ecosystem and strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The move is in line with the country's aspirations to produce a future workforce that meets the needs of foreign investors under the framework of the special economic zone. However, Tan assured that the passion for pursuing the status of a modern economic province will not sideline the agenda of the social safety net at the rural level. "Rural infrastructure development remains a priority to ensure that connectivity access is always balanced with urban areas. At the same time, the welfare of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities (OKU) and homeless patients will continue to be guaranteed through targeted support programmes so that no one is left out of this modernisation trend," he said. He said that aggressive efforts to attract new investments to the corridor will continue to be intensified to open up more quality job opportunities to increase the baseline income of the local community. -- NAMED

JOHOR BAHRU: The implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will see a drastic transformation of the rural landscape in the state through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and a macro-scale digital economy starting from the grassroots level. This strategic move is to ensure that economic spillover from the international special zone […]