Johor-Singapore SEZ draws Japanese investor attention
Iskandar Investment Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim (centre) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Datuk Noorazam Osman (right) participating in a panel discussion titled Johor Focus: Building the Future with Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor on June 18, 2025.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japanese investors have expressed keen interest in investing in Johor, particularly in sectors such as finance and technology.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive Datuk Noorazam Osman said while most investment enquiries in Johor come from Singapore, China, and South Korea, many Japanese companies have also been enquiring.
"I think that is the reason why they have the two-day Nikkei Forum in Medini here, where they can see the potential and understand where they can fit in.
"With the volatility happening around the world, I think they are looking at the potential of coming into a place where it can be a gateway to a new market - a regional market - which is Asean.
"For the Japanese, they are mainly looking at the digital economy, technology, as well as electrical and electronic sectors," he told the media on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday (June 18).
Mohd Noorazam earlier engaged in a panel discussion with Iskandar Investment Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim titled Johor Focus: Building the Future with Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Both highlighted the potential of JS-SEZ and Johor's readiness in infrastructure and talent to support the investments.
About the forum, Idzham said there were some 800 in-person and online participants and delegates taking part in the discussions.
He added that the event marks a significant milestone in positioning Medini as a vibrant, future-forward hub for innovation, investment, and regional collaboration in Southeast Asia.
The forum, themed Driving Asia's Innovation Hub, brings together thought leaders, policymakers, corporate leaders, and investors from across Asia and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia to maintain anti-dumping duties on CRC imports from China, Japan
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has completed the administrative (sunset) review and made an affirmative final determination to continue imposing anti-dumping duties on imports of cold rolled coils (CRC) of iron or non-alloy steel (over 1,300mm wide) from China and Japan, excluding those used for automotive and transformer finwall applications, or tin mill black plate. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said the rate of anti-dumping duties for the Chinese companies are; Angang Steel Company Limited at 4.82 per cent, Maanshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd (4.76 per cent), Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (8.74 per cent), and other producers and exporters (26.38 per cent). 'The rate of AD duties for Japanese producers and exporters will be imposed at 26.39 per cent. 'The Royal Malaysian Customs Department will enforce the collection of the anti-dumping duties on the imports of the subject merchandise for a period of five years, effective from June 23, 2025 to June 22, 2030,' it said in a statement today. MITI also noted that the government has made a negative final determination to terminate the imposition of anti-dumping duties and the investigations on the imports of the subject merchandise originating or exported from South Korea and Vietnam, effective from June 23, 2025. 'Interested parties such as local producers, importers, foreign producers and exporters and associations related to the administrative (sunset) review can have access to the non-confidential version of the final determination report by submitting a written request to MITI director of trade practices section,' it said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia to maintain anti-dumping duties on CRC imports
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has completed the administrative (sunset) review and made an affirmative final determination to continue imposing anti-dumping duties on imports of cold rolled coils (CRC) of iron or non-alloy steel (over 1,300mm wide) from China and Japan, excluding those used for automotive and transformer finwall applications, or tin mill black plate. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said the rate of anti-dumping duties for the Chinese companies are; Angang Steel Company Limited at 4.82 per cent, Maanshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd (4.76 per cent), Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (8.74 per cent), and other producers and exporters (26.38 per cent). 'The rate of AD duties for Japanese producers and exporters will be imposed at 26.39 per cent. 'The Royal Malaysian Customs Department will enforce the collection of the anti-dumping duties on the imports of the subject merchandise for a period of five years, effective from June 23, 2025 to June 22, 2030,' it said in a statement today. MITI also noted that the government has made a negative final determination to terminate the imposition of anti-dumping duties and the investigations on the imports of the subject merchandise originating or exported from South Korea and Vietnam, effective from June 23, 2025. 'Interested parties such as local producers, importers, foreign producers and exporters and associations related to the administrative (sunset) review can have access to the non-confidential version of the final determination report by submitting a written request to MITI director of trade practices section,' it said.
Free Malaysia Today
17 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Why Johor is now an investor safe haven
The Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 brought industry experts to discuss the future of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). ISKANDAR PUTERI : The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has been touted as the next major engine of growth for Southeast Asia. Formally established in January through a bilateral agreement between Malaysia and Singapore, the zone aims to enhance cross-border economic connectivity. Over the next 10 years, it is set to support 100 projects worth RM100 billion and create an estimated 100,000 jobs across high-value sectors such as manufacturing, the digital economy, logistics, clean energy, and tourism. At the June 18-19 Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), industry experts and panellists discussed how best to unlock the region's potential and ensure it stays on track. FMT highlights several key themes and their implications for Johor and beyond. Johor as a stable option in a fractured landscape With its strategic location and stable policy environment, Johor, together with its neighbour Singapore, is increasingly seen as a compelling and secure investment destination. IIB president and CEO Idzham Hashim said the JS-SEZ offers a secure entry point for global capital, especially amid rising geopolitical and economic headwinds. Citing Johor's consistent ranking in Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment, he said the region's relatively low operating costs further enhance its appeal. 'The cost of doing business in Johor is almost 60% cheaper than in Singapore and almost 30% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur. 'We have the ability to help (Singaporean businesses) scale up, reduce their cost of doing business, and give them the space they need to grow,' he said. This positioning is supported by financial institutions facilitating inbound investment. One example is United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB), which is helping investors enter the regional market. Chiok Sook Yin, who heads UOB's foreign direct investment advisory unit, said the bank offers full-spectrum support for businesses expanding into the region. 'Besides having strong network connectivity, we have financial supply chain management solutions that help investors expand local sourcing and support new suppliers that follow (prominent) companies into Malaysia. 'We're also helping lower the barrier to entry for investors and addressing their concerns before they enter the markets they've targeted,' she said. Deloitte Malaysia executive director Thean Szu Ping said the government is backing this push with robust fiscal incentives. High-tech industries, she said, qualify for a preferential tax rate of 5% for up to 15 years. Capital-intensive sectors, meanwhile, will receive an investment tax allowance. Policy continuity and clarity needed The resignation of former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who had played a key role in shaping the JS-SEZ blueprint, has raised questions about the zone's future direction. Despite his assurances that existing initiatives would continue uninterrupted, industry leaders emphasised the need for unwavering policy commitment. UEM Group Bhd managing director Amran Hafiz Affifudin described continuity as the 'most important enabler' of business confidence. 'As a member of the business community, we like to see continuity in policy, especially as an infrastructure company. Our investments are long-term, so clarity and continuity of policy are very important. 'We are a business with heavy capital expenditure. Policy stability is critical,' he said. Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han echoed this, noting that in today's unpredictable global climate, consistency attracts capital. 'In this era of uncertainty, investors and innovators seek environments where rules are transparent, decisions are predictable, and institutions are stable. Johor is ready to offer these,' he said. Growing Japanese interest in the region One of the most pronounced takeaways from the forum was the deepening interest of Japanese industry in Johor, reflected in the participation of companies like Mitsui Banking Corporation Malaysia, and AEON Co. In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba had recently identified Johor as a region of strategic interest. Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata pledged Tokyo's support for Johor's ambitions as a tech and infrastructure hub. 'Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology would offer an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution for Johor's data centres. 'By adopting this technology, the data centres in Johor could significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impact as well as improving operational efficiency,' he said. He also offered Japan's AI-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transport networks to help Johor overcome congestion challenges and become a model city for mobility solutions, not just for Malaysia, but for Asean and beyond. The momentum behind Japanese participation was further underscored by a memorandum of understanding signed between Invest Johor and Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc to establish a Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) in Johor. The initiative aims to train 1,000 local talents and create 300 high-skilled jobs. Invest Johor CEO Natazha Hariss said the partnership is aimed at driving innovation and strengthening talent development across the JS-SEZ and will 'promote the JS-SEZ as a base for cutting-edge innovation and talent development'.
