{"id":1197,"date":"2025-09-09T23:37:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T15:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/uat.pscentre.com.sg\/?p=1197"},"modified":"2025-09-10T00:13:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T16:13:32","slug":"the-johor-singapore-sez-what-businesses-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/pscentre.com.sg\/the-johor-singapore-sez-what-businesses-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The Johor-Singapore SEZ \u2013 What businesses need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Article By: EDB Singapore, 29 May 2025,\u00a0https:\/\/www.edb.gov.sg\/en\/business-insights\/insights\/the-johor-singapore-sez-what-businesses-need-to-know.html<\/a><\/em><\/p>

Singapore and Malaysia reaffirmed their joint commitment to the development of Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) at the inaugural JS-SEZ Business and Investment Forum held in Johor Bahru on 21 April 2025.<\/p>

Alongside new initiatives to strengthen supply chain connectivity and accelerate cross-border business expansion, representatives from both countries and industry leaders provided key progress updates on the JS-SEZ. Here\u2019s what businesses should know.\u00a0<\/p>

1.\u00a0Southeast Asia offers opportunities amid global headwinds<\/span><\/h5>

At the inaugural forum, Ministers from Singapore and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to advancing JS-SEZ, calling it a timely and strategic move amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment.<\/p>

Singapore\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong,\u00a0stressed that like-minded nations\u00a0should collaborate more closely in the face of rising protectionism and supply chain disruptions. \u201cAt a time of significant volatility, uncertainty and anxiety in the global economy, it is even more important that we team up with like-minded countries; double down on better connectivity and ease of doing business; and join hands with businesses and investors,\u201d he said.<\/p>

Malaysia\u2019s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, echoed these sentiments, stating that the initiative is \u201cneeded now more than ever\u201d. He highlighted how the theme of the forum \u2014\u00a0Bridging Economies, Strengthening Supply Chains<\/i>\u00a0\u2014 captures the shared aspirations of both countries.<\/p>

Johor Chief Minister Dato\u2019 Onn Hafiz Ghazi also underscored the urgency of operationalising the JS-SEZ in response to recent tariff developments, noting that the initiative would \u201cfuture-proof our economies\u201d. He called for unity and reassured the audience that \u201cin every crisis lies an opportunity\u201d.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div>

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2.\u00a0JS-SEZ emerges as the region\u2019s next investment hotspot<\/span><\/h5>

At a panel session featuring senior leaders of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), and Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the panellists shared a common view that the JS-SEZ is poised to become the region\u2019s next major investment powerhouse.<\/p>

Describing\u00a0ASEAN as an increasingly attractive destination for global businesses, Datuk Sikh Shamsul, CEO of MIDA, pointed out that by 2030, ASEAN\u2019s population is expected to reach 700 million, with around 70% belonging to the middle-income bracket. He also highlighted the region\u2019s sustained investment appeal with over 5,000 companies having their regional headquarters and around 80% of Fortune 500 companies maintaining a presence in this region.<\/p>

The JS-SEZ was positioned as a platform for mutual gain by Mr Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of EDB, who described it as a \u201cwin-win-win-win\u201d value proposition \u2013 benefitting Johor, Singapore, businesses, and the wider Southeast Asia region. He noted that Singapore and Malaysia, situated at the heart of a vibrant region, have a longstanding partnership with deep economic synergies. The JS-SEZ, he said, allows both countries to tap into their complementary strengths.<\/p>

Mr Loy highlighted that companies had already been anchoring or \u201ctwinning\u201d operations in both Singapore and Johor so they could benefit from the advantages that both economies offer. Looking ahead, he emphasised the need to double down on attracting global investors, particularly in manufacturing, supply chain, the digital economy, and green economy, to bring greater opportunities to both countries and the region.\u00a0<\/p>

3.\u00a0Singapore unveils new support services for JS-SEZ investors<\/h5>

Singapore has announced the establishment of a joint project office comprising the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Enterprise Singapore, and Singapore Economic Development Board. The joint office will support Singapore-based businesses to explore opportunities, build partnerships, and navigate relevant support schemes through the agencies\u2019 on-ground networks.<\/p>

The initiative complements the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor (IMFC-J), launched in February 2025. The IMFC-J \u2013 which is jointly run by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Invest Johor, and MIDA \u2013 is the first IMFC outside Kuala Lumpur and provides end-to-end investment facilitation to streamline processes and accelerate business setup in Johor.<\/p>

Johor\u2019s Chief Minister Dato\u2019 Onn Hafiz Ghazi also noted promising early outcomes on the IMFC-J, highlighting that the centre has halved its bureaucratic processing times to about one year. Additionally, the IMFC-J has also received 252 investment-related enquiries since its launch in February and 42, which are deemed to be \u201chigh-impact\u201d projects are now undergoing expedited evaluation.
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4.\u00a0Doing cross-border business is easier in both Singapore and Malaysia<\/span><\/h5>

Singapore is committed to making it easier for businesses to pursue cross-border, twinned operations between Singapore and Johor. To support this, efforts are underway to enhance the movement of goods and people, building on a series of trade facilitation measures already in place. These include:<\/p>