SD Guthrie Bhd, the world’s largest palm oil plantation group by land size, is strengthening its position in a major upcoming industrial development in Johor, becoming an equal partner to Eco World Development Group Bhd following a revised equity arrangement.
The company announced that under an amended shareholders’ agreement inked on Tuesday, its wholly owned subsidiary SD Guthrie Land Ventures Sdn Bhd (SDGLV) will raise its stake in Eco Business Park 8 Sdn Bhd (EBP8) to 45%, up from 25% previously.
EcoWorld, which originally held 65%, will pare down its stake to 45%, while Permodalan Darul Ta’zim Sdn Bhd (PDT) will maintain its existing 10% share in the joint venture.
With the updated structure, the EBP8 board will expand to accommodate up to seven directors — three each representing SDGLV and EcoWorld, and one representing PDT — ensuring balanced representation among key partners.
In a statement, SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the move reflects the group’s ambition to build a stronger foothold in industrial development, which has emerged as a core focus of its long-term strategy.
“By increasing our stake to 45%, SD Guthrie will assume a more strategic role within the joint venture. We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with PDT and EcoWorld. This step positions us to unlock greater value from our extensive land bank and deliver sustainable returns to shareholders,” he said.
He added that the partnership is timely as demand for high-quality industrial assets in Johor continues to rise, driven by cross-border economic activity and the upcoming Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone.
The EBP8 integrated industrial park, with an estimated gross development value of RM3.75 billion, will be developed to attract high-value and innovation-driven industries. The project will offer a mix of industrial plots, ready-built facilities and supporting commercial components, catering to sectors such as advanced electronics, AI-driven supply chains, medical technology, biotechnology, food technology and modern logistics.
Industry observers have noted Johor’s growing investment appeal. As at the third quarter of 2025, the state recorded RM91.1 billion in approved investments — the highest in Malaysia — surpassing the RM48.5 billion secured in 2024. The momentum is expected to continue as the region benefits from government-backed initiatives and increasing interest from global manufacturers seeking expansion in Southeast Asia.
On Tuesday, shares of SD Guthrie closed eight sen higher at RM5.32, valuing the company at RM36.79 billion.
