Latest news with #JS_SEZ
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Don't underestimate JS-SEZ': PM Anwar hails Johor-Singapore zone as global benchmark for cross-border cooperation
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has underscored the significance of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), describing it as an extraordinary model of cross-border cooperation that sets a new benchmark for bilateral economic collaboration. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the strong partnership between Malaysia and Singapore has led to rising international interest in JS-SEZ, attracting investors from Japan, China, South Korea and Europe, and positioning it as a new global investment dynamo. 'Do not underestimate the importance of JS-SEZ. This is not an ordinary SEZ. 'Name me one other economic zone that involves two countries, built entirely on mutual trust and the spirit of working as one formidable team. That's what makes JS-SEZ unique,' he said during the closing ceremony of Nikkei Forum Medini 2025. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The prime minister also credited the zone's rapid progress to its clear policies, political stability and institutional support from both federal and state authorities. He said this includes the newly established Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre, which he described as a key enabler in expediting investment approvals. 'Every meeting brings new demands. If they don't get approvals at the state level, they come to us. And we facilitate, not for personal gain, but for the greater good. That's why this centre is becoming a showcase for other states and federal agencies to follow,' he said. He acknowledged the contributions of Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), Khazanah Nasional and the Johor state government in making the JS-SEZ a reality. 'So you may have a politically stable may have clarity of policies, brilliant minds working. But you must have this pace of approvals, the commitment of both bureaucrats and executives in the field,' he said. Recalling his recent participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Anwar said JS-SEZ stood out not just because of its investment incentives, but because it is backed by strong governance. 'I'm not interested in giving out new incentives, we've given enough. Other countries may offer more generous packages. But what they lack is what we have, political stability, a strong coalition with a two-thirds majority, and the courage to admit and correct the abuses of the past like corruption and misuse of power,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
JS-SEZ safe bet for investors amid global tensions, says Iskandar Investment CEO
IIB president and CEO Idzham Hashim said Johor's strategic location and political stability have helped it remain among Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment in recent years. ISKANDAR PUTERI : The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) offers investors a secure proposition amid growing global uncertainty, Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) president and CEO Idzham Hashim said today. He said Johor's strategic location and political stability had helped it remain among Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment in recent years. 'Despite the fact that many politicians all over the world are trying to make the world smaller, the majority believe globalisation is key to uplifting the quality of life. 'Because of our location and the strong relationship between Malaysia and Singapore – and Malaysia's good relationship with all nations – we are in a good position to capitalise on this,' he said at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 co-organised by IIB here today. Idzham said in today's uncertain political climate, the formalisation of JS-SEZ had been crucial to ensuring its long-term competitiveness. The zone was formally established in January through an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to boost economic connectivity between the state and the republic. It aims to attract 100 projects worth RM100 billion and create about 100,000 jobs in high-value sectors such as manufacturing, digital economy, logistics, clean energy, and tourism over the next decade. Spanning nine flagship zones, including Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, JS-SEZ offers competitive tax incentives and streamlined regulations to attract global investors. The initiative has begun to draw strong interest from investors in Japan, South Korea, China and Europe, positioning Johor as a strategic gateway to the Asean market. Idzham said the region's relatively low operating cost made it especially appealing. '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. At a time when cross-border dynamics are easily politicised, Idzham reframed Johor-Singapore ties as collaborative rather than competitive. He said the two neighbours, separated only by the Johor Strait, each brought unique strengths to the table and complemented one another economically.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
JS-SEZ turns heads: Johor's regional rise draws investors from Japan, China, Europe
JOHOR BARU, June 18 — The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is drawing increasing interest from international investors, particularly from Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe, as Johor positions itself as a strategic gateway to the Asean market. Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) chief executive Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said recent investment enquiries received by the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor reflect strong interest from these key markets, underscoring Johor's emergence as a promising regional growth hub. 'This is a very positive outlook not only for Johor, but also for Malaysia as a whole. Amid ongoing global volatility, investors are looking to Asean as a promising entry point into new regional markets,' he said when met after speaking as a panellist at the Nikkei Forum Medini 2025: Driving Asia's Innovation Hub, held here today. On key investment sectors, Mohd Noorazam said Japanese investors are particularly drawn to electrical and electronics, financial services, technology, and the digital economy. Asked about confirmed Japanese investments, he noted that while specific names could not yet be disclosed, several companies had requested meetings with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, a clear indication of their strong interest. 'We have also received enquiries from Japanese banks acting on behalf of their clients. We are facilitating engagements, particularly with institutions such as Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, with whom the Economy Ministry recently signed a letter of intent,' he added. Meanwhile, Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) president and chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim said Medini is fully equipped to welcome new investors, supported by comprehensive infrastructure and a business-friendly ecosystem. He said the 'plug and play' development model implemented in Medini enables investors to begin operations immediately, without delays. 'The land is ready, and essential utilities, including electricity, water, fibre optics, and cabling, are already in place. Instead of starting from scratch, investors can establish operations in Medini, which already hosts nearly 40 international companies. 'These businesses are thriving, and it's now a matter of scaling up. At IIB, we see ourselves as growth partners, committed to helping businesses succeed in Medini,' he said. Idzham also emphasised Medini's high quality of life, supported by amenities such as pocket parks, Sireh Park, golf courses, Legoland, and the revitalised Johor Zoo, all catering to diverse lifestyles and income groups. Commenting on global uncertainties and Singapore's recent downward revision of its gross domestic product growth forecast to 0.2 per cent, he acknowledged that some investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach due to geopolitical tensions. 'There may be short-term corrections, such as what Singapore is experiencing, but we believe these are temporary. Asean remains one of the world's fastest-growing regions, with a youthful and expanding middle class. Young people account for about 50 to 60 per cent of Southeast Asia's 650 million population,' he said. He also highlighted the natural geographic advantages of Johor and Singapore as investment destinations, further bolstered by political stability and the absence of natural disasters. On IIB's development strategy, he stressed that focus is not solely on physical infrastructure but also soft infrastructure. 'Soft infrastructure includes talent development, facilitation by government agencies, and enabling businesses to access markets. That's the ecosystem we're building, not just buildings and roads, but the support systems businesses need to thrive,' he said. The two-day Nikkei Forum Medini 2025 forms part of broader efforts to position Johor as a regional innovation hub, supporting the JS-SEZ initiative to attract high-quality investments and integrate value chains between Malaysia and Singapore. — Bernama
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor-Singapore SEZ gains momentum as Anwar reaffirms Putrajaya's commitment to governance and growth
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The federal government will continue to support efforts to ensure infrastructure and facilities are at the highest level to strengthen investor confidence and the overall success of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as a catalyst for new growth in Johor. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he appreciated Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's briefing on the progress of foreign investment, especially in JS-SEZ. 'Alhamdulillah, this initiative between the two countries has succeeded in attracting high interest and confidence among investors to invest in Johor,' he said. The Prime Minister, who arrived in Johor this morning, said he attended several important planning events, starting with the Johor State Development Special Meeting in Kota Iskandar with the Menteri Besar and state and federal leaders. 'In this meeting, I reiterated my commitment to efficient governance and integrity, especially in the aspects of management, finance and administration. 'This includes the issue of the people's security and health in the implementation of projects involving the procurement of equipment and services. 'We need to adopt a wise approach and think outside the box so that the savings achieved can be channeled to other more urgent needs, especially in the fields of public health and education,' he said. The Prime Minister said the state government also presented development projects that are priorities in Johor, including the issue of raw water supply, access systems at Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Sultan Iskandar Building and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex. 'The presentation also involved the operation of Pasir Gudang Hospital, land affairs as well as several pre-implementation projects that are currently being planned,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Asean Summit set to unlock RM300b in FDI, boosting Malaysia's economy, says Juwai IQI
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The Asean Summit will be a platform to integrate regional economies and promote trade through potential agreements with an estimated RM300 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the next five years, according to Juwai IQI. Its co-founder and group chief executive officer Kashif Ansari said in a statement today that it is important for Asean member countries to work together as the region faces a complicated world, with global strategic rivalries, new technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) disruptions. 'The summit could boost Malaysia's economy through regional integration, Asean unity in global trade, and foreign direct investment. Changes in these three areas could mean hundreds of billions of ringgit in additional trade and capital over the coming years. 'The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is a prime example of integration, which could contribute as much as RM110.9 billion to Malaysia's economy annually by 2030,' he said. Kashif said a tighter-knit Asean could boost Malaysia's total trade volume significantly, to about RM3.87 trillion by 2027; exports could reach an all-time high of RM2.13 trillion in annual export volume by 2030. 'While the agreements coming out of the summit could have us shipping more goods out by 2030, we will also be receiving more inbound FDI, with that money going into local innovation, infrastructure, employment, and property,' he noted. In the property sector, based on IQI's analysis, FDI inflows during this period will generate at least RM15 billion in new real estate activities, which include industrial parks, commercial centres, logistics hubs, and housing developments, said Kashif 'With RM300 billion of FDI projected by 2030, we estimate RM15 billion, or five per cent, will be channelled into the real estate industry. 'We have estimated this five per cent ratio between FDI and real estate based on typical patterns seen across the region. The real number could be lower, or much higher,' he said. According to Kashif, global brands have built data centres, electric vehicle facilities, and logistics hubs over the past few years. These developments create high-quality property demand in the industrial sector and have a spillover effect on housing, office, and retail. 'This Asean Summit is a platform for improving Malaysia's future. If regional leaders can agree to deepen intra-Asean trade, harmonise regulations, and reduce trade barriers, Malaysia and all our partner nations will benefit,' he added. The Asean Summit will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27, alongside the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit. This is the fifth Asean chair for Malaysia. Its previous terms were in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. — Bernama
