JLand Group (JLG), the real estate and infrastructure arm of Johor Corporation (JCorp), and Eco World International Berhad (EWI), signed a framework agreement to explore joint real estate development opportunities in Malaysia and Australia. This agreement reflects a shared ambition to unlock strategic value across both markets, leveraging the strengths of two forward-looking development platforms. The non-binding agreement, executed via JLG Investment Holdings Sdn. Bhd., sets the stage for both parties to jointly assess high-potential projects and explore suitable partnership structures for sites owned or identified by either party.

Unlocking Strategic Potential

This engagement brings together the global reach of EWI and the rising regional influence of JLG. JLG has expressed interest in EWI’s residential site at Macquarie Park—a prime location 18km from Sydney’s CBD. In turn, EWI is exploring participation in a proposed 300-acre industrial development within Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), JLG’s flagship integrated township in Sedenak, Johor. Located within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), IBTEC is supported by over RM34 billion in committed investments.

JLG’s Regional Growth Strategy

This mutual interest underscores the strategic alignment between both organisations — combining EWI’s international development experience with JLG’s ambition to scale its proven development capabilities across the region. IBTEC’s inclusion reflects growing recognition of JLG’s ability to deliver catalytic, investor-ready ecosystems that support both national priorities and cross-border investment potential. Likewise, JLG’s interest in Macquarie Park builds on its earlier residential entry into Brisbane and marks a deepening of its presence in Australia.

“This framework agreement marks the next chapter in our deliberate regional growth strategy. Macquarie Park presents an opportunity to build on the momentum we’ve established in Australia, while IBTEC offers a compelling platform for global collaboration here in Johor. We remain firmly focused on our core mission to drive high-impact, sustainable development locally, and continue creating investor-ready ecosystems that attract the confidence of listed partners with international reach like EWI. This potential partnership reflects our commitment to scale with the right collaborators who share our long-term vision, values, and execution discipline,” said Datuk Sr Akmal Ahmad, Group Managing Director of JLand Group.

EWI’s View on Regional Synergy

For EWI, the framework agreement represents an entry into Malaysia’s high-growth real estate sector—aligning with its strategy to diversify earnings and tap into nearer-term revenue opportunities.

Dato’ Teow Leong Seng, President and CEO of Eco World International said: “We are equally excited about the opportunity to participate in a strategic development within IBTEC, which is already among the country’s most prominent smart and sustainable industrial zones. We look forward to working with JLG to create opportunities that attract high-value industrial players. The framework agreement creates a platform for us to explore how we can pool our combined capabilities, strengths, and resources to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing industrial demand in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and Iskandar Malaysia as a whole.”

Macquarie Park and Market Opportunities

Down south in Australia, EWI’s site is located at 1-3 Lachlan Avenue, Macquarie Park, approximately 18km from Sydney’s central business district.

“EWI has 5 unlaunched sites in the UK and Australia. Years of significant undersupply in new housing have led to strong rental demand for residential properties. As central banks globally begin to normalise interest rates, investors’ yield expectations should moderate and homebuying activity is also expected to recover eventually. Depending on market conditions and project feasibility, these sites may be developed as build-to-sell, build-to-rent or student housing in line with current market needs. With JLG’s interest in Macquarie Park, Australia, we hope to bring our projects to market sooner to meet this anticipated demand,” said Dato’ Teow.

Commenting on the broader outlook, Datuk Sr Akmal Ahmad, said: “Macquarie Park offers more than just access to a mature market; it represents an opportunity for JLG to bring our integrated, human-centric development approach into a new context. Our ambition is not only to grow regionally, but to do so with intention – by creating places that respond to real community needs, support economic resilience, and deliver shared value. This is how we co-create impact across borders; thoughtfully, strategically, and sustainably.”

A Strategic Marker for Both Parties

Should the collaboration progress to formal agreements, it will represent EWI’s first entry into Malaysian real estate development, and a continued regional stride for JLG—affirming that the Group’s formula for integrated, sustainable growth continues to resonate beyond domestic borders.