MUAR:Pagoh Economic Zone, involving an area spanning 1,600 hectares (ha) next to Bandar Universiti Pagoh here, will be developed soon, thus spurring rapid economic activities and produce spillover effects to the surrounding communities.<br /> <br /> Announcing this development today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision was made during the Pagoh Development Council meeting chaired by the prime minister himself and also attended by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and several ministers involved in the related matter a few weeks ago.<br /> <br /> Muhyiddin said the duty-free zone, which will be developed by Sime Darby Property, would also identify giant companies to invest in the zone.<br /> <br /> "I'm looking for many giant companies to come to Pagoh. If we can do that (not only) will it guarantee job opportunities for the Pagoh community (but) also enhance the economic activities.<br /> <br /> "I have also met with a big company which is related to the national car assembly to manufacture components for the national car in Pagoh," he said during his speech at a meeting with Pagoh Parliamentary Community Leaders at the Pagoh Sports Complex here, today.<br /> <br /> According to Muhyiddin, the project would be beneficial for the local community in the long term and urged them to capitalise on the available opportunities to develop the parliamentary constituency together.<br /> <br /> "This is important as my planning for Pagoh is not for one year or two years. Previously, I had said that Pagoh will have a university, but today the university has been developed," said the Pagoh Member of Parliament.<br /> <br /> Muhyiddin, who is also the Gambir assemblyman, said with the creation of the economic zone, Pagoh would emerge as a huge potential area for future developments.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA