Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of the Malaysian government, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary i2M Ventures Sdn Bhd, has officially launched the Blockchain Village at Medini (BVAM) to further support growth of the blockchain ecosystem in Malaysia.
i2M Ventures managing director Zulfiqar Zainuddin said BVAM was aimed at developing the blockchain ecosystem in Medini City to provide service providers, established institutions and blockchain start-ups and stakeholders, the platform to further develop their technology and encourage market adoption.
“BVAM is also projected to bring in 1,200 high-value and knowledge-based jobs by 2022 besides generating new investments in Medini,” he told reporters today after the BVAM launch, which was officiated by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr. Sahruddin Jamal.
Zulfiqar said the development and availability of talent remained as one of the key factors in the blockchain ecosystem.
OK Blockchain, a blockchain company from Japan set up an office in the city back in August. It has now trained more than 107 employees through the GBS Iskandar Campus Connect Initiative, a partnership between industry players and the academia facilitated by i2M.
BVAM is an extension of the GBS Iskandar programs which are expected to generate RM562 million investment by 2022.