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BusinessToday
3 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Johor–Singapore SEZ Gears Up To Be ASEAN's ‘Mini Korea'
Malaysia is pushing for the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to go beyond traditional cross-border investments, aiming to position the bilateral zone as a regional high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub with global relevance. Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong told the Malaysia–Singapore Chinese Chambers of Commerce Business Forum that the JS-SEZ must not become 'merely a relocation of low-end manufacturing from Singapore to Johor,' but should instead serve as a platform for deep industrial integration and advanced production. The minister's remarks signal potential investment opportunities in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced materials; areas he said are now central to global competition. Liew said Malaysia and Singapore both maintain over 20% of GDP from manufacturing, a rare trait among semi-advanced economies, giving them a unique industrial base to leverage. He proposed a joint ecosystem capable of producing regional champions akin to Samsung, Huawei or TSMC, which could reshape Southeast Asia's role in global supply chains. 'Together, we can serve as a mini Korea in the global supply chain,' he said, pointing to collaborative value-add potential that goes beyond their geographical size. The business case also hinges on aligning financial markets and regulations with industrial policy. Liew highlighted the need for a 'robust financial ecosystem' that supports technology investments, signalling future roles for Malaysian capital markets and regulators like the Securities Commission to back industrial growth. His call for more strategic integration comes as firms reassess supply chains amid global uncertainty, with Malaysia and Singapore potentially benefitting from nearshoring and diversification trends. With formal JS-SEZ agreements signed earlier this year, industry players and investors will be watching closely for follow-up policies and incentives that translate political intent into bankable cross-border projects. Related
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, Serbia approve free trade agreement to boost bilateral economic cooperation
Arab Finance: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the ratification of the free trade agreement between Egypt and Serbia, under which customs duties and quantitative restrictions on imports and exports of goods will be gradually eliminated, as per a statement. The announcement was made during the Egyptian-Serbian Business Forum, which was attended by Serbian Prime Minister ?uro Macut and a high-level delegation visiting Egypt. In addition to eliminating tariffs, the agreement includes provisions to enhance cooperation in services and investment, promote joint projects, enable technology transfer, and facilitate trade dispute resolution, all aimed at creating a favorable climate for bilateral investment. In his speech, Madbouly noted that trade between the two countries has more than tripled from $94 million in 2022 to approximately $300 million in 2024. He also expected this trade exchange to grow further after Egypt's House of Representatives approved the free trade agreement. Madbouly added that this agreement complements Egypt's existing network of free trade deals with the European Union (EU), Arab countries, Africa, the UK, Türkiye, the US, and others, collectively granting access to markets of over three billion consumers. He underscored Egypt's modern logistics infrastructure as a key advantage for tripartite cooperation, allowing for joint manufacturing and duty-free exports with reduced transport costs. Egypt also aims to share its experience in executing large-scale infrastructure and fourth-generation cities to support Serbia's preparations for Expo Belgrade 2027. Furthermore, Madbouly called on private sector representatives from both countries to seize the investment and partnership opportunities available. The Prime Minister also emphasized Egypt's readiness to support Serbian investors across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and major projects. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia, Singapore need robust financial ecosystem to unlock joint industrial platform
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore need a robust financial ecosystem with next-generation technologies to unlock a powerful joint industrial platform, said Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong. He said the two countries are uniquely positioned, with manufacturing still accounting for more than 20 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). 'It encompasses new materials such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, new chip architectures, and emerging fields including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. 'To support these advancements, we need a robust financial ecosystem, one where regulatory bodies like the Securities Commission are aligned with technological and industrial priorities,' he said in his keynote speech at the Malaysia-Singapore Chinese Chambers of Commerce Business Forum today. Liew noted that Singapore retains a significant manufacturing base, while Malaysia offers complementary capabilities. 'We should aspire to build our own ecosystem, born out of a Malaysia–Singapore partnership. 'Together, we can serve as a mini South Korea in the global supply chain, adding value far beyond our geographic size,' he added. Liew also commended the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) for bringing the two nations closer together.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visit to Japan by H.E. Ms. Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique
H.E. Ms. Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique will pay a visit to Japan from June 14 to 18. During her stay in Japan, Prime Minister Levy will participate the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, as official guest of the Government of Japan as well as Japan-Mozambique Business Forum. The visit of Prime Minister Levy is expected to further develop the bilateral relations between Japan and Mozambique. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Miles to go": Piyush Goyal sees strong potential in India-Italy bilateral trade
Brescia [Italy], June 5 (ANI): Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday pointed out that the bilateral trade between India and Italy is very low, as he suggested that the trade relationship has 'miles to go'. Speaking at the India-Italy Plenary Session of the Business Forum alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, Minister Piyush Goyal asked the businesses present at the event whether the current trade volume 'meets even a minuscule portion of the huge potential between Italy and India.' 'We have miles to go,' Piyush Goyal said, painting a hopeful picture that the trade between India and Italy will grow. Piyush Goyal is on a two-day visit to Italy. 'We realise that the bilateral trade between our two nations is so low, and is suboptimal. We have a lot of work to do, whether it is trade, whether it is investments, whether it is technology, whether it is tourism,' Goyal said. The bilateral trade between India and Italy registered at Euro 14.34 billion in 2023. India's exports to Italy reached Euro 9.16 billion, a decrease of 8.86% compared to the previous year, 2022. During 2023, India's imports from Italy were Euro 5.18 billion, an increase of 7.69 per cent compared to the year 2022. The trade balance remains in India's favour, with Euro 3.98 billion. It has been in India's favour since 1988. He added that the tremendous potential between the two countries can be gauged from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Italy after becoming prime minister. In his address, Minister Goyal said there is a huge opportunity for tourism in India. In the same breath, he invited people of Italy to come to India as tourists. He said Italy is quite a popular destination for Indian tourists, and each time an Indian movie features a song shot in an exotic Italian location, tourism from India to Italy increases significantly. 'I'm a greedy person. I would also like to see tourism come from Italy to India. Therefore, I would like to invite the world of cinema to come to India and explore some exotic locations. We have rain in some parts or other of India every season, 12 months a year. You can have the sun, you can have beautiful beaches, historical sites, palaces, temples, a lot of history, a lot of art, a lot of culture, tonnes of tradition, all of that across India, and I would like to invite all of you to India to explore the majesty and the glory,' he doubled on his tourism promotion. He said the impending India-EU FTA is making rapid progress. 'Our leaders, President Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have tasked us to finalise the deal before the end of this year. I can assure you that we are making rapid progress; we had discussions as recently as two days ago in Paris, where we engaged on finding the pathways for taking forward (the negotiations),' Goyal added. Once finalised, this FTA would be one of the most significant for India, as the EU is its second-largest trading partner after the US. This commitment to finance FTA by the end of 2025 builds on the strategic direction given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the landmark visit of the EU College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025. After a nine-year lull, India and the EU re-launched negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in 2022. The talks had reportedly stopped in 2013. (ANI)
