SPC Group eyes long-term Malaysia investment as Johor factory nears completion

Paris Croissant CEO Hur Jin-soo and Johor Governor Onn Hafiz Ghazi discussed future investments and local sourcing during a meeting in Korea.

Paris Croissant CEO Hur Jin-soo, left, and Malaysia's Chief Minister of Johor Onn Hafiz Ghazi at Passion 5 bakery in central Seoul on Thursday. [SPC GROUP]

Paris Croissant CEO Hur Jin-soo discussed potential future investments with Onn Hafiz Ghazi, governor of the Malaysian state of Johor, ahead of the opening of the bakery chain's halal bread factory in the state.

The two discussed the future of SPC Group, Paris Croissant's parent company, in the country, including the local sourcing of raw ingredients and investment plans, during the governor's visit to Korea on Monday, the bakery giant said Friday. The two met again Thursday at the company’s Passion 5 flagship bakery in Yongsan District, central Seoul.

“I will actively support SPC Group so they can successfully conduct business in Malaysia,” the chief minister said.

SPC Group formed a joint venture with Malaysia's Berjaya Food to break ground on the 40 billion won ($29 million) factory in Johor Bahru, which aims to obtain halal certification for its products.

The 12,900 square-meter (138,854 square-foot) factory is set finish its construction by the end of this year, after which it will begin supplying Paris Baguette breads to Southeast Asian countries followed by the those in the Middle East in the near future.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]